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jadynreads101's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Hate crime, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
lashanabrad's review
4.0
This is a very good book!!! Who knows how a person who was kidnapped and held hostage for 8 years by a trusted member of the community, and those close to them, will react when they are returned home? Once the initial shock wears off, you then have to pick up the pieces and try to become whole again. Hollie Overton gives the reader a front seat view of this transformation. This is a book not to be missed.
catperrins's review
2.0
Baby Doll is a really strange book. The premise is pretty similar to 'The Room' - a girl is kidnapped at a young age, has a baby by her kidnapper and then escapes to the real world. But in this book, the kidnapped - Lily - has a twin sister, Abby, and there's a lot of focus on their relationship. The premise is actually pretty interesting. I thought the chapters written from the premise of the kidnapper were quite good - his evil predilections are kind of realistic and it's disturbing in quite a clever way. The author is good at creating tension and it's the sort of thing you will find yourself reading in one sitting, because you need to know what happens. The reason I've given this book 2 stars is that, for once with this type of book, I liked the ending. It's clean, it makes sense, and you felt satisfied with it.
The problem I have, and the reason I can't rate this book higher, is with Lily's behaviour, which is weirdly 2-D and at times unrealistic to the point of bizarre. Although there is some passing mention to her needing therapy, I can't believe that a person who had been held in captivity, being raped and experiencing such a nightmare, would walk away so relatively unscathed. She also seems to catch up almost immediately with what's going on in the world and doesn't really seem wildly bothered that she's lost so much of her life. There are other issues, too - what's really the point of Lily having a daughter? Skye's character is never explored - is it just so that the abuse seems even more horrific? Why would anyone in any capacity take a woman who is just a day out of captivity and force her to recount those events in detail? What are Abby's issues - and why does Wes like her so much when she's so awful to him (and, seemingly, everyone?) But the most problematic bit is Lily - it just doesn't sit well with me.
The problem I have, and the reason I can't rate this book higher, is with Lily's behaviour, which is weirdly 2-D and at times unrealistic to the point of bizarre. Although there is some passing mention to her needing therapy, I can't believe that a person who had been held in captivity, being raped and experiencing such a nightmare, would walk away so relatively unscathed. She also seems to catch up almost immediately with what's going on in the world and doesn't really seem wildly bothered that she's lost so much of her life. There are other issues, too - what's really the point of Lily having a daughter? Skye's character is never explored - is it just so that the abuse seems even more horrific? Why would anyone in any capacity take a woman who is just a day out of captivity and force her to recount those events in detail? What are Abby's issues - and why does Wes like her so much when she's so awful to him (and, seemingly, everyone?) But the most problematic bit is Lily - it just doesn't sit well with me.
lexibrarian's review
2.0
This book had good premise, but I feel it could've used much more editing.
Many of the chapters felt loosely written, like a first draft. The details in the book felt unrealistic, and I couldn't rationalize half of what had happened - the realities of a situation like the ones presented in this storyline do not match up with the realities of that situation in the real world.
I enjoyed the characters in this book, the connection (and dissonance) between twin sisters. I enjoyed hearing the "end" of a story that is so popular (i.e. girl is kidnapped by man whom nobody suspects, is close to home for a long period of time, escapes). I didn't like the constant drama between family members, it felt very unnecessary, as did the entire side storyline with Eve and her lovers.
Many of the chapters felt loosely written, like a first draft. The details in the book felt unrealistic, and I couldn't rationalize half of what had happened - the realities of a situation like the ones presented in this storyline do not match up with the realities of that situation in the real world.
I enjoyed the characters in this book, the connection (and dissonance) between twin sisters. I enjoyed hearing the "end" of a story that is so popular (i.e. girl is kidnapped by man whom nobody suspects, is close to home for a long period of time, escapes). I didn't like the constant drama between family members, it felt very unnecessary, as did the entire side storyline with Eve and her lovers.
anxietygirl74's review
3.0
Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book read like a second book in the story. I understood going in this is what happens "after", but I wasn't expecting to feel so disconnected to what was happening by not having lived the "before". It's not like I wanted to live the 8 years of rape and torture that Lily endured, but without living any of her time in captivity or living any of the fallout with her mother and sister it made it impossible for me to connect in any significant way. It was interesting to get all the different POVs and see it all from different eyes but I didn't feel any of it except for the initial anxiety during the escape. After that it was like watching it all on camera. Interesting but distant. I wanted to go deeper into the psyche of all involved. So much had happened during those 8 years to Abby and her mom Eve but all we got was bits and pieces that we had to put together. Oddly enough Lily came across as having it together the most and I found that frustrating. Out of all the characters in the book I found the most sympathy inducing response was from Shaina. She at least made me feel a little horrified. It also would have been nice to get an epilogue set farther into the future. A lot happened in the last 20% of the book (almost too rushed) and after all that drama I would have liked to have seen a firmer foundation in happiness.
This book read like a second book in the story. I understood going in this is what happens "after", but I wasn't expecting to feel so disconnected to what was happening by not having lived the "before". It's not like I wanted to live the 8 years of rape and torture that Lily endured, but without living any of her time in captivity or living any of the fallout with her mother and sister it made it impossible for me to connect in any significant way. It was interesting to get all the different POVs and see it all from different eyes but I didn't feel any of it except for the initial anxiety during the escape. After that it was like watching it all on camera. Interesting but distant. I wanted to go deeper into the psyche of all involved. So much had happened during those 8 years to Abby and her mom Eve but all we got was bits and pieces that we had to put together. Oddly enough Lily came across as having it together the most and I found that frustrating. Out of all the characters in the book I found the most sympathy inducing response was from Shaina. She at least made me feel a little horrified. It also would have been nice to get an epilogue set farther into the future. A lot happened in the last 20% of the book (almost too rushed) and after all that drama I would have liked to have seen a firmer foundation in happiness.
jennk_00's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
yvetteadams's review against another edition
4.0
The story opens with the escape of a 25 year old girl (and her child), who has been held captive in a basement for 8 years. These stories totally grab me! It was a page turner and I was hooked.
brenkp's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chandrakayr's review
4.0
Similar to the book Room, but it holds its own. This is a great book to read in the fall as it's very much a physiological thriller. I loved Lilly and all her strength...all while refusing to be a victim. In a strange way it was uplifting in terms of the human spirit.