Little Doll: Because if he really wanted you... he'd kidnap you.

by Aria Devon

Poppy
I’ve spent my life climbing the ladder and hiding the cracks behind power suits and sharp words. But under the surface? I hate it all. My family. My job. Everything.

But now I’m trapped in this place, unable to escape. My captor is relentless in controlling every move I make. The worst part? He wears the cracked porcelain mask of a china doll to hide his face from me. It's terrifying. Yet something about him feels familiar.

I should hate him, but I don’t. I’m not even sure I want to leave anymore. Maybe I’m losing myself, or maybe I’ve finally found where I belong.

Cillian
I’ve waited years for this moment, for her to be mine. Poppy, my perfect obsession. Poppy was always the one, even when we were kids. She just didn’t know it yet.

But my mother ruined it all and then the world twisted my poor, sweet Poppy. It made her cold and distant. That’s why I’ve taken her. I need to remind her of the truth. Now I have her, I won’t let her go.

She thinks I’m a stranger, but she’ll remember soon enough. She doesn’t understand how perfect we are together, but she will. Everything I’ve done was for her. She just needs time to see that I’m not her enemy. I’m her salvation.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Novella, Horror, Stalker, Kidnapping, M F Romance

120 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2024

Reviews

[Ash]

Literally wtf???? This is definitely not a romance more so an erotic horror? But I fear I did enjoy🫣

[Laylabaylabooks]

What in the actual fuck did I just read ?
Like
W T F
If you are looking for your next dark book read this
This is not a dark romance, let me repeat
THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE !!!
This is some fucked messed up goodness that I ate up and left no crumbs.
If I could give it more than 5 stars, it would get 7

[Peter Topside]

This is definitely meant solely for fans of dark romance and authors like Yolanda Olsen. Very singular in its focus which, if you're not completely into this subgenre, you'll have a hard time staying with it. I think the writing itself and the premise were good, but there were just a lot of questionable creative decisions here. I hated the alternating POV between Poppy and Cillian. Either one, alone, would have sufficed and made this a much more powerful and unsettling experience. But, together, everything just felt very choppy, combined with the lack of context for many of the plot points, it left me wanting much more than what was provided. And the final chapter just added to the confusion, feeling like it was put there as an afterthought, as a last-ditch effort to bring it all together, which it struggled to do. Again, all the pieces were here for something much better, but the author really needed to fine-tune the overall approach to make this a more sensible and developed read.

[TheReaderVert]

What in the tiddly wink did I just read 😮? It was either pure perfection or insanity 😄. Either way I was down like a frown.

Sign me up please:
👆🏾 Pyscho MMC who is delulu
👆🏾 stalker who buys her gifts & orders takeout when she skips meals
👆🏾 forced tattoo
👆🏾 forced drugging
👆🏾 licking her from the rootie to the tootie (Non to the con alert!)
👆🏾 licking her kitty kat clean after she messes bc....you know how paralytic drugs work...amirite
👆🏾scarred MMC who go all "who hurt you" and then murky murk

And so much more. This is an Erotic Horror or Thriller but boy oh boy does it hit the mark. The author understood the assignment and put you on a ride where you felt for both main characters even though their goals were opposite one another. This is what it looks like when delusional villains want the girl 😁

[daemyra, the realm's delight]

In the mood for a disturbing read! If you’re looking for something twisted, this satisfies the devil on your shoulder without being gore p++n or hateful. The fine balance between being shocked just enough versus feeling morose and sick to the stomach. Hero is mentally ill. Last chapter 😭😭😭 maybe a good one to save for Halloween. I also wonder whether the author was inspired by the 2001 slasher film Valentine. Has some similar elements but Little Doll is very much twisted dark "romance."

[Scarlett]

Wanted to try more books with psychology and a unreliable narrator and this wasn’t it

[THE PETITE LIBR☆RY]

I’m not here to yuck anyone else’s yum, live your freaky life or don’t, idc, but lumping this shit in with dark romance is what gives the entire genre a bad rap.

[princess]

okay idek what i think rn, this shit was insane like actually mental??? and then as it got closer to the end i was like oh wtf this is corny asf boooo... but then it got even closer to the end and i was like woah! what a plot twist. and then it got to the actual end and i said holy fuck WHAT A PLOT TWIST. i'm confused. i loved it. idk. MIND FUCK

[warhawke]

Genre: Psychological Horror
Type: Standalone novella
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Despite her rough start in life, Poppy overcame her challenges and grew up to be a successful independent woman. But her carefully crafted world crumbled when she became the obsession of a masked stalker, Cillian. Surviving him would be her greatest challenge yet.



I loved how unhinged Cillian was. He lived by his own rules and accomplished his goals his own way. What Poppy went through was distressing, but she fought to find a way out. Personally, this book wasn't as dark as I thought it would be, but I still enjoyed it overall.

Her body and soul will always be mine from this day until the day I die. And even then I will bring her with me.

Little Doll is a story of obsession and self-fulfillment. It would appeal to readers who enjoy dark fiction.




🔸️💀🔸️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . 🔸️💀🔸️


For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:



For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.

[crusadeannihilation]

That was bonkers lol

[CC]

4.5★



After years of patience and persistence, Cillian has taken possession of his doll, Poppy, and he is prepared to tend to her every need.

“You’ve fractured just like their faces did. I’m here to put you back together.”

Narrated in dual POV, the alternating perspectives between Cillian and Poppy offer insight to each character’s experience and also adds to the tension of this captive story. The pacing of this novella is quick and has some psychological twists along the way. For me, my sympathies shifted at times and the unexpected definitely added to the enjoyment of this novella.


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey*


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[maribel]

This actually wasn’t too bad!! There was something about it that was oddly satisfying and had me glued to my seat. It makes you think twice once you get to the end but I was for it! It’s definitely different and darker than what I normally read, but I’m not complaining.

I cannot stress this enough: *Check your trigger warnings!!*

[Claribel]

First let me say this is not for everyone. Definitely check your trigger warnings!!

I saw someone read this and was curious. I enjoyed the psychological aspects of this though the material can be disturbing to some. I really don’t know what else to say honestly. But again, check your trigger warnings.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤]

A quick read with a twist or two 🤣

Poppy hates her life as it was ], it soon changes when she is kidnapped from her bed one night. Her captor keeps her restrained always wearing a mask, telling her he will protect her, she is his little doll to care for. Poppy feels she needs protecting from him but there is also this familiarity feeling she gets. Will she get free? Will she fall in love with her captor? Does he reveal himself?

It was great read, that makes you think twice once you finish it 😬

[K-P]

Jesus Christ on a crumpet!

What in the twisted knickers was THAT?!

There’s morally grey… morally black… and whatever in the devils damn rainbow this was!

I’ve never read/listened to anything quite like this— and it is blowing my frickin’ mind that some much mental carnage could nearly fit into a novella!

This book was a psychological kick in the face that kept twisting and turning until the very last page.

I was so uncomfortable for the most part— but have never had my mind completely blown in such a way!

[Rae]

Wow.

I expected it to go one way and it did a total 360 on me and ruined my minds guessing I like to do as I read books.
I was recommended this Authors writing from a friend and I’m very glad I listened. Aria Devon writes with raw, talented, detailed and thoroughly enjoyable work. I thought I had the ending locked in, but OMG it was so much better than my own guesses.
If you don’t mind the triggers & want a read to keep you on edge, this one’s for you!

Please, remember to read trigger warnings folks, your mental health always matters.

[Ashley Benfield]

Oh my

[Fiatgal]

What a perfectly dark little story. No HEA.

[Heather 🖤]

Wild… but brilliant

[Micki-D]

Wow what a dark twisted tale of one’s obsessions. This book is so dark you might wanna switch your reader back out of dark mode when you read this.

I hate dolls they are creepy and this book is just as creepy as those dolls!

Little doll is beautiful written everything about it screams dark and depraved with a fast pace to keep you one end of your seat and twist to mess with your head what more could you want.

If you looking for your next creepy, dark, twisted, mind f*ck of a book this is it.

[Caprisha]

I always enjoy a delulu MMC where there’s not really a HEA, just mindfuckery.

[KittySexy]

Buff... Que locura de libro
Él chico lleva en casi todo el libro una mascara y no sabemos de que conoce a la protagonista hasta casi el final cuando se quita la mascara y le cuenta quien es y porque desapareció de pequeños ( aunque es todo mentira, pero en la mente de él es verdad )
La protagonista me dió mucha pena porque sufrió toda la vida de maltrato ( aunque ahora dudo si es verdad todo lo que dijo el chico, pero creo que lo del hermano si es verdad porque hasta ella lo dijo cuando en el capítulo que ella narraba, aunque dió entender de que hermano copiaba a su padre que me dió por pensar abusaba de la madre delante de ellos, pero luego sospeche que era a Poppy y el hermano hacía lo mismo, pero ahora dudo si es verdad eso ). Madre mía los delirios del chico hace sufrir a la protagonista, pero hay un momento al final cuando decide no matarlo, pero si a su madre no lo entiendo pensé de verdad que aceptará quedarse con él, pero parece otra vez otro delirio de él
La madre al final también es una víctima porque no hizo nada de lo que contó el chico a la protagonista y solo quería proteger al chico porque si seguía viendo a la protagonista iría a la cárcel de menores y a Poppy de su hijo porque sabía que estaba enfermo como su padre

[SAV]

When your friend narrates a book you have to read it and damn … this book was something else but I truly loved it! The MMC did have schizophrenia so I’m still confused to what was real and what wasn’t but I actually had the time of my life with this book, it was soooo good!

[Kejsia]

So I feel like this book is crazy overhyped I see people talking about this book all the time saying how great it is and how much they love the characters and honestly it was such a let down and slightly confusing. So firstly Poppy isn't that smart not to say that She's dumb but it was obvious who he was you know its not your brother or dad you don't have any friends except the one from when you were younger who know and planned to run away with you obviously its him. Also she was in my opinion dumb for running right when he opened the door in stead of waiting that way you would've known you were in the middle of nowhere and still had that trust. And lastly the ending confused me obviously he's not the most reliable narrator because he hears shit but he said his mom burned his face when actually he did she was never abusive towards him and she implies that he was imaging the abuse that was happening to her though we know he wasn't from her POV. Idk it just was weird to me also dumbest bitch alive for not killing him are you dumb he don't even be knowing what the fuck is happening half of the time. And now look at your dumbass paralyzed forever and stuck there for trying to talk sense to a crazy person.

[tanith_justanotherchapter]

This is one of those books that make you realise the rest of your 1 stars weren't that bad. I'm rating it 1 because that's the lowest I can.

My worst book for 2025 and possibly that I've read in years.

I would rant review but it doesn't deserve it.

This isn't dark romance. It's erotic horror.

Can we please normalise labelling books correctly?

[adriana]

Idk this triggered me & gave me the ick. dnf.

[Jada✨]

Wish I never read this

[D.E.Ranged D.E.Ranged]

Honest review from a beta reader.

First things first is READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS! Your mental health matters and this story is extremely dark!

I loved this book! So different from anything I have read before and so very twisted! It is very dark so please be aware before you read it! Perfect for a quick read, and I will recommend it to anyone who can handle it.

The twists in this story have you dizzy, but worth it for the journey it takes you on! Without spoiling it too much, I actually feel for a couple of the characters (epilogue), and the author has done a brilliant job in showing what extreme mental health disorders are like! (Being in support work for mental health for years, I understood where this was going from chapter 3... for those of you who don't understand, read until the end) Well done Aria on bringing these characters to life and giving us a little treat for Halloween! 🥰🥰

[Cocolici]

Okay... this book was messed up, no doubt about it. But I’ve definitely read way more f*cked up things, so let’s call this one “dark with a sprinkle of delusion.” 😅

The story itself was actually really good, super unsettling in a quiet, creeping way. It’s not in-your-face disturbing, but it gets under your skin.

And Cillian? Whew. That man was living in his own little world and fully committed to the fantasy. He was so delusional, I didn’t know whether to feel bad for him or back away slowly. But somehow, I was still hooked.

It’s one of those reads that’s twisted but addictive. Aria Devon did a great job pulling me into the madness without going overboard, which honestly made it even more chilling.

🖤 Dark Romance
🔐 Kidnapping / Abduction
🧠 Psychological Thriller
🕵️‍♂️ Possessive, Obsessed MMC
🧍‍♀️🧍 Forced Proximity
🔄 Dual POV (Cillian & Poppy)
⚠️ Not-so-HEA (emotionally wrecked, thanks)

[Jackie L]

Little Doll Because If He Really Wanted You…

Killian is sooooo delusional!! 🤪😂🤣 This is a short erotic horror.

The audiobook is recorded in duet by R. L. Hemm and Grayton D. I am disappointed in the male narrator. The preview made him sound hot but he actually turned out to be rather robotic to me, stilted. Had to turn it up to 1.9x then it became a bit choppy.

TROPES/ THEMES: erotic horror, unreliable narrator, kidnapping, SA, mental illness

Read on for spoilers…

CHARACTERS (more or less in order of appearance, please excuse typos in name):
Cillian: serial killer, assassin, Poppy’s captor
Poppy: Cillian’s captive, CEO of CLP Motors
Ronan: Poppy’s brother
Jimmy Kerry: attempted to kiss Poppy when she was 10
Unnamed: Cillian’s mother

QUOTES/ SCENES (please excuse typos, transcribing from audiobook):

SUMMARY/ SPOILERS:
- Cillian kidnaps Poppy.
- Cillian kidnaps Ronan while he tortures Poppy with forced Os.
- Poppy’s brother, Ronan, used her for money, experienced trauma with her but also SA’ed her when they were younger. She broke her precious dolls’ face to scare Ronan away. That is why Cillian wears a broken doll faced mask, to be her savior as well.
- Cillian leaves Ronan unbound in the room with Poppy as a test. Instead of freeing them both from their captor, Ronan climbs on top of Poppy and rubs his p at her entrance, ready to SA her again. Cillian cuts Ronan’s head off.
- Cillian was supposed to run off with Poppy when they were younger but he never showed up. His mother set him on fire and sent him to a mental institution. His face is scarred.
- Cillian’s mother says Poppy’s father is a police officer, her mother a nurse and that Poppy and Ronan are well cared for.
- Cillian shoves his own face in the flames.