Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

MNHQ

Have you read Baby Doll by Hollie Overton? Post your feedback by 16 August for chance to win £100 Love2Shop Voucher!

104 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 27/06/2016 14:11

Held captive in one room with her six-year old daughter, one day Lily Riser realises that her captor has left the door unlocked. For the first time in eight years, Lily’s free. But escape is just the beginning... Baby Doll is the story of what happens next...

This psychological thriller by debut author Hollie Overton will have you on the edge of your seat. In Baby Doll, Hollie draws on her unique childhood experiences to give realism and compassion to this story of darkness and family entanglements.

We have 50 copies of Baby Doll to give away to give away to Mumsnetters who want to read and share their thoughts about it on this discussion. Go to the giveaway page to find out more about the book.

You don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion. Anyone who has read Baby Doll can post their feedback here. If you miss out on a free one, you can buy a copy. All who post feedback here before 16 August will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher. The giveaway is now closed.

This giveaway is sponsored by Penguin Random House

Have you read Baby Doll by Hollie Overton? Post your feedback by 16 August for chance to win £100 Love2Shop Voucher!
OP posts:
jonniesmum · 24/07/2016 13:50

Gripping! kidnap thriller with a difference as this one begins when Lily escapes her tormentor after nearly eight years. It deals with the aftermath of those closest to her, her twin sister, her mother and her first boyfriend. All their lives have changed since Lily was taken and they all have to deal with the fallout in their own way. Ive always been fascinated by identical twins, wondering what it must be like to have another person who looks just like you. The author is herself a twin and the book deals with both the closeness that they feel for each other as well as the jealousy and sibling rivalry. It's also about the inner strength that people possess in the very worst circumstances in order to try and live a 'normal' life, when for them life can never be normal again. I thoroughly enjoyed this book with some insight into the mind of the kidnapper but also into the mind and life of the survivor.

horseyrider · 24/07/2016 14:40

Interesting beginning. Fascinating to hear about the effects of events like this on a family. Very gripping bit at the end.

Snoozy1 · 25/07/2016 08:20

Really loved this book, it is indeed one that you cannot put down. So much happens in the first quarter of the book, that you wonder what on earth can happen for it to carry on for the next three quarters! Gripping to the very end.

lottietiger · 25/07/2016 17:39

Not too far through this yet as I was just finishing another book when It arrived. Good start so far though interesting to see what happens next. I will be back with an update :)

Hairyhat · 25/07/2016 18:21

Refreshingly new take on a psychological thriller. Escaping her captor is not the happy ever after for A kidnap victim we all might believe. This book dealt with complex relationships in a believable and page turning way. I was moved to tears at times and it had a very satisfying ending. Brilliant read, thanks Mumsnet.

polo3 · 25/07/2016 18:56

Easy read. Gripping from the first page. Keep on wanting to read more...

kristinage · 25/07/2016 20:58

Love this book!!! Very interesting and intriguing in some parts.

katieskatie82 · 25/07/2016 22:06

statred reading it yesterday and found it hard to put down. Very interesting storyline. Really promising so far!! xx

sweir1 · 26/07/2016 22:12

I have really enjoyed it so far

cosytoaster · 27/07/2016 07:52

I haven't quite finished this book yet but am really enjoying it so far, it's a real page turner and switching between different characters' points of view works well.

There are a few typos but it seems that the book hasn't been fully proofread yet.
I'll re-post n a couple of days when I've finished it.

windowmouse · 27/07/2016 10:20

The title is a bit misleading and would not have made me buy the book, however the story is great, really engrossing.

agnapoop · 27/07/2016 10:27

I loved this book and didn't want to put it down. From the first page it kept me interested and I found myself becoming involved in each of the characters journeys. It is well written and very descriptive and gives an insight into how lives can he affected in different ways. The silent torture. I'd highly recommend this book. A great read.

susanterblanche · 27/07/2016 14:31

Thank you so much for my copy, it did remind me of Room in the beginning, but its quite different and thought the twist towards the end was very good, I never saw it coming! I also enjoyed how each chapter was from a different individuals perspective. It was overall an was read and I enjoyed it, thanks!

webjunkie · 27/07/2016 22:46

This is a real page turner and although thrilled to have received a complimentary copy I would have been happy to have paid for this. I read this in about four days which is pretty unusual for me but I was hooked right from the start. I'll be looking out for this author's next offering.

stewaris · 29/07/2016 20:36

Love books like this. So looking forward to reading it.

cosytoaster · 31/07/2016 15:06

Finished it now - really enjoyed it - thanks for the copy, I'll watch out for future books by this author

lindseypie · 01/08/2016 15:25

Reading the cover blurb, I thought the plot was going to be too much like "Room" for me to enjoy, however after the first few pages I was hooked and found "Baby Doll" a real page turner. One aspect that I found interesting was the twins relationship and what happens when twins are separated and how their lives progress. I did find parts of the book a bit cliché but if you're looking for a great summer read for the plane, train or by the pool then I would recommend "Baby Doll".

Sarah3kids · 01/08/2016 22:19

Thank you Mumsnet for my copy - a great summer read. For those who watched "Thirteen" on the BBC a couple of months ago - you'll love this. You don't often hear about the aftermath of a horrific incident, but this book covers all bases. Unlike the TV series - you feel like your questions have been answered and the problems have/or will be resolved in time.

It was simply written (not in a derogatory way), the plot was great - taking you in directions you probably wouldn't predict, with characters that got you emotionally involved. A very quick read - because you just had to get to the end!! (which I loved) - will certainly be recommending it. Look forward to what might come next from Hollie Overton.

voyager50 · 02/08/2016 09:00

I am about a quarter of the way into it and I am loving it!

So far it is really reminding me of 'Thirteen' the BBC2 drama that was on earlier this year - some of the scenes are very similar.

It is well written and with chapters being told from the perspectives of different people in Lily's life it gives a more complete version of what is happening to her as those who love her tell the story from their point of view about how her abduction and return has affected them.

So far the story is focusing mainly on what is happening to Lily after her escape but there are plenty of references to the past giving insight to her relationships with her family, boyfriend and her captor.

I wish I has more time this week to read so I can find out what happens next sooner!

VicKWhish · 03/08/2016 11:22

I totally agree this was a really gripping read told from multiple perspectives and I'm looking forward to reading more from this intriguing new author too. The author's backstory in itself is interesting as her father was part of a notorious gang and jailed for manslaughter so her portrayal of the American Criminal Justice System has added authenticity.

VicKWhish · 03/08/2016 11:26

I found the short chapters told from the different viewpoints gripping too and I really understand the pull of 'just one more chapter!' I also enjoyed this book more than Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train but agree that this book is definitely in the same vein.

VicKWhish · 03/08/2016 11:36

The final twist at the end of the book was brilliant and like other reviewers, I certainly didn't see it coming which is the hallmark of a great book in this popular psychological thriller genre. I also agree with other reviewers that the impact of a crime on those close to the perpetrator/victim is extremely well explored in this novel. Overall a gripping, intense, well-paced read that you won't be able to put down!

Leserlee · 04/08/2016 07:39

Just started reading this book and love it really understanding the characters well described and can picture them in my mind

pigsinmud · 04/08/2016 22:02

Many thanks for the copy. I haven't quite finished it, but we're off on holiday tomorrow so thought I should post my thoughts before we go! I'll finish it whilst we're away.

Gripping. I read half the book in a day which is unusual for me...I want to read, but often don't get stuck in to a book. The chapters are short. I like the fact we're given different perspectives - I think it's what has drawn me in so much.

It's a great first book and I look forward to finishing this one and reading more in the future.

lottietiger · 05/08/2016 11:23

I read this book really fast as I got stuck into the story straight away. As someone else mentioned it is simply written but that adds to the charm of the book. I really enjoyed the ending, it was different to what I expected but suited the characters of the book. In fact all the characters were good and showed jealousy and love between the sisters very well. I will be recommending and passing to my friend to read.