Scan barcode
courtneys_reading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
2.5
Either way this story was fine. It's an important one and a reality for a lot of women, sadly their story doesn't always end so perfectly.
Kind of wish we got more insight to life after she got the divorce and how her kids adjusted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy and Death of parent
beccam2012's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
carriekelley22's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
3.0
Spotty. High school kids don't need supervision. They don't need to be told to wash their hands. Things like that took me out of the story. Distracting a reader with "huh? Why?" moments is why I rated this three stars.
jotheblackbookworm's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
Paper Doll Lina by Robyn Lucas is not an easy read as it describes the volatile relationship Lina is in due to her husband’s abusive behaviors. It is so important to understand how these behaviors are abusive and how control and power can lead to violence. Lina was a strong character who realized that she and her children were not in a good place and that they needed help. Her friend Nancy was a great help to her. Ultimately, Lina helped herself, which I was pleased to see, although she did put herself at great risk to do so! There is a love story included in the book as Lina meets Noah, a celebrity who also helps promote the website her children created. If infidelity is difficult for you, please know it is in this book as well. Other included topics are racism, interracial marriage (Lina is Black), religion, and police who aren’t supportive to the victim.
jasminesworld's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so great and hard to read but necessary. The top comment says its a “cute romance with some domestic violence issues” I don’t want people to think that at all though! Lina is experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in several forms such as psychological, emotional, physical and financial from the beginning to end.
I think this book does a good job of exploring the issues with women experiencing IPV and how it looks to their friends and family. The book does have a happy ending if you will, but I wouldn’t say the book is about the romance outside of Lina’s marriage at all. It’s really about her situation and how she as an individual overcomes her abuser not just for her children but wanting better for herself too. Very happy with the book despite the very sad truth of domestic violence and abusive relationships.
Also Jules is going to hell.
I think this book does a good job of exploring the issues with women experiencing IPV and how it looks to their friends and family. The book does have a happy ending if you will, but I wouldn’t say the book is about the romance outside of Lina’s marriage at all. It’s really about her situation and how she as an individual overcomes her abuser not just for her children but wanting better for herself too. Very happy with the book despite the very sad truth of domestic violence and abusive relationships.
Also Jules is going to hell.
brandy_reads's review
4.0
This was a compulsive, fast paced read, while also being difficult emotionally. My heart broke for Lina and her children as David manipulated them and continually found new and increasingly cruel ways to belittle and control them. I could not help but cheer her on as bit by bit she found the strength and resolve to find a way out.
While this is fiction, I really believe this novel is important. It highlights the many forms of abuse from financial to physical and also sheds light on the mental turmoil victims go through, and why they stay.
I highly recommend this book, it’s one that will stay with me.
Thank you to @robynlwriter @kccpr @amazonpublishing and @letstalkbookspromo for the complimentary eARC
While this is fiction, I really believe this novel is important. It highlights the many forms of abuse from financial to physical and also sheds light on the mental turmoil victims go through, and why they stay.
I highly recommend this book, it’s one that will stay with me.
Thank you to @robynlwriter @kccpr @amazonpublishing and @letstalkbookspromo for the complimentary eARC
samran's review
It feels wrong to rate this book so I’ll write this review and allow others to rate it.
It’s hard to rate a book that I feel has many truths in it. Yes, Noah was a celebrity but if you take away that aspect this book could be millions of women’s realities. Linas story and development are well done if not frustrating at times. But if nothing else it was truthful and heartbreaking and a important story to be told. There were some things I wanted more of, less of, and so forth but in essence this book speaks for itself.
It’s hard to rate a book that I feel has many truths in it. Yes, Noah was a celebrity but if you take away that aspect this book could be millions of women’s realities. Linas story and development are well done if not frustrating at times. But if nothing else it was truthful and heartbreaking and a important story to be told. There were some things I wanted more of, less of, and so forth but in essence this book speaks for itself.