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ambersbooksandbakes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
Minor: Addiction, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
lisa_butler79's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Baby doll - Hollie Overton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book has been on my shelves for ages. I've put off reading as I forgot what it was about and thought the cover was boring. Never judge a book by the cover. When my random spin app chose this book as my next read and I read the synopsis I was excited and this book did not disappoint.
This book drew me in from the first line and I couldn't stop reading. I had to devour each short chapter to find out what happened next whilst also taking a break from the shock value too.
Lily was kidnapped at the age of 16 and held hostage for 8 years. The story doesn't start here it starts with her escape and the repercussions for all involved. It's told from the point of view of multiple people not just Lily but her twin sister Abby, her mom Eve and even the man who kept her captive Rick.
It's a story of loss, love, survival and trauma. I experienced a huge number of emotions myself reading this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion of the family dynamics as each person finds a way to cope with the crime and its aftermath for all involved. The writing was powerful and emotive without ever being overly emotional and repetitive. I highly recommend this book for a thriller with a difference.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book has been on my shelves for ages. I've put off reading as I forgot what it was about and thought the cover was boring. Never judge a book by the cover. When my random spin app chose this book as my next read and I read the synopsis I was excited and this book did not disappoint.
This book drew me in from the first line and I couldn't stop reading. I had to devour each short chapter to find out what happened next whilst also taking a break from the shock value too.
Lily was kidnapped at the age of 16 and held hostage for 8 years. The story doesn't start here it starts with her escape and the repercussions for all involved. It's told from the point of view of multiple people not just Lily but her twin sister Abby, her mom Eve and even the man who kept her captive Rick.
It's a story of loss, love, survival and trauma. I experienced a huge number of emotions myself reading this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion of the family dynamics as each person finds a way to cope with the crime and its aftermath for all involved. The writing was powerful and emotive without ever being overly emotional and repetitive. I highly recommend this book for a thriller with a difference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
thenovelmaura's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Yes, I read this 2016 ARC in 2021... it's always good to have a thriller on the shelf just in case, right? This one wasn't very thrilling, but I went in with low expectations and it was interesting, at least. This book gets all the trigger warnings because it's about kidnapping and r*pe, but it does start at the point of Lily's escape, so it fortunately isn't super graphic. I also loved that it was set in the area where I grew up, but I know other readers won't find all those little references as satisfying as I did.
Anyway, I understand why people were disappointed by the surface-level descriptions here. Overton is a television writer and it shows, because the characters feel more like roles than actual people, especially Lily's angelic daughter, Sky. They also reveal the identity of Lily's kidnapper and take him into custody very quickly, so there isn't much suspense there. I'm giving it three stars because it was a quick read, I liked all the side secrets and drama, and I really enjoyed the ending. But sadly, I do think thriller fans have other, probably better, options to choose from.
Anyway, I understand why people were disappointed by the surface-level descriptions here. Overton is a television writer and it shows, because the characters feel more like roles than actual people, especially Lily's angelic daughter, Sky. They also reveal the identity of Lily's kidnapper and take him into custody very quickly, so there isn't much suspense there. I'm giving it three stars because it was a quick read, I liked all the side secrets and drama, and I really enjoyed the ending. But sadly, I do think thriller fans have other, probably better, options to choose from.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body shaming and Sexual violence