[Book Review] Baby Doll

Baby Doll

by Hollie Overton

Psychological Thriller, Suspense,
Contemporary Fiction

Links:
Amazon / Goodreads

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review a few years back, and it's only now that I've gotten around to reading it. 

The beginning of the story made me feel like I was dropped in the middle of something important happening, so I was initially confused about everything. However, once the story progressed, everything quickly made sense, and I'm absorbed into the nightmare that Lily, the protagonist, had to go through. 

Unlike most psychological thrillers, this one happens after the victim escapes the clutches of her abductor, and explores the grim effects of the victim's disappearance on the people around her, especially her family.

What I really like about this book is that it doesn't only tell the story from Lily's point of view, although she is the main protagonist. It also explores the grief and coping mechanisms (both good and bad) that her immediate family members resorted to in the aftermath of her disappearance. 

There's Abby, Lily's twin sister, whose grief and guilt were so tangible that Lily's disappearance triggered damaging behavior. There's also Eve, their mother, who, despite appearing strong, stable and dependable, have her own share of questionable choices. 

I feel like the actions of the characters in this story, besides Lily, were realistic in that they took solace in inter-personal relationships, although some of it were morally questionable. They were flawed characters that were put in very complicated situations. Throughout the story, the reader isn't only being an audience to Lily's search for justice against her captor and abuser, the reader likewise witnesses the struggle and moral dilemmas that the other characters experience.

The subtle chess-play between Lily and Rick were also such a treat to read. Lily was such a layered protagonist. She's gone through so much, and her mental fortitude is very laudable, but that doesn't make her a Mary Sue. In fact, she has shown time and again that she's just as human as everybody else. She made mistakes, and felt deep remorse for them, but still strive to make do with the situation that she's put into.

I particularly loved the part on Abby's redemption. In the beginning, I was irritated with Abby and how she's such an emotional and impulsive character. However, by the end of the story, she became self-aware that she has been engaging in destructive behavior, and that it will take some time for her to overcome that behavior. That was such a very profound character development that I found myself rooting for her recovery and happiness.

A third into the story, I was a bit worried that Lily wouldn't get her happy ending. Thank God she did. I would have been heartbroken if evil triumphed. 

All in all, this was a very riveting and absorbing read. The story is a bit fast-paced, but the twists are evenly sprinkled throughout the story that it's not overwhelming. I highly enjoyed it!