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She's a Doll
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9 days and 18:24:54
100 copies available
U.S. only
Lucy isn’t a normal girl. Ghost. Victim. Killer. She’s a doll on a mission—to find the man who killed her and return the favor.
Lucy McQuinn has been murdered, but she’s not about to go quietly.
If she doesn’t get to keep breathing, then neither does Kyle, her killer. Possessing the body of an antique doll, she sets out on a quest for revenge. But it’s hard when you’re eighteen inches tall and made of porcelain.
For help, she turns to Nicola, a human and fellow outsider with her own reasons to hate Kyle. But in their small idyllic town, no one wants to hear the truth, especially not about such a promising young man. If they can’t expose his crimes, Lucy will have to roll up her lacy little sleeves and teach him a lesson the old-fashioned way—as slowly and painfully as possible.
From LA Times bestselling author Barbara Truelove, She’s a Doll is a ghoulish and gleeful tribute to the unstoppable power of female rage and a love letter to the friends who have our back—in this life and the next.
Lucy McQuinn has been murdered, but she’s not about to go quietly.
If she doesn’t get to keep breathing, then neither does Kyle, her killer. Possessing the body of an antique doll, she sets out on a quest for revenge. But it’s hard when you’re eighteen inches tall and made of porcelain.
For help, she turns to Nicola, a human and fellow outsider with her own reasons to hate Kyle. But in their small idyllic town, no one wants to hear the truth, especially not about such a promising young man. If they can’t expose his crimes, Lucy will have to roll up her lacy little sleeves and teach him a lesson the old-fashioned way—as slowly and painfully as possible.
From LA Times bestselling author Barbara Truelove, She’s a Doll is a ghoulish and gleeful tribute to the unstoppable power of female rage and a love letter to the friends who have our back—in this life and the next.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Barbara Truelove
4 books410 followersI write about werewolves and sometimes other things.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars!
Murdered girl's soul possess a creepy porcelain doll with the intent to kill her killer.
You know what I didn’t expect in a book about death and doll possessions? One of the best female friendships between an inanimate object and an outcast that I’ve ever read. They’re snarky to each other AND both hella twisted in the head, but there’s no denying that Nicola and Lucy are ride or die! The fact that they both hate the same person is simply fate at its finest! ✨✨
A funny interaction that perfectly sums Lucy and Nicola’s relationship:
“Have you considered eating real food?” (About a McDonald’s milkshake)
“Have you considered that you’re still on thin ice, you porcelain piece of shit?”
The second half of this book was UNPUTDOWNABLE! I lived through the murder with Lucy and watching her chase after revenge was like chicken soup for my soul. The first half, however, was tedious with LOTS of talking, being stuck in display cases, and reading about a porcelain doll shattering and being hot glued back together. Trudge through that part to get to the riveting and ohhhh so satisfying second half!
Overall it’s a solid book. Interesting premise for those looking to read about revenge, female friendships, and creepy dolls possessed by a sarcastic dead girl on a murder mission. 😈
*For anyone horror adverse like myself:
This book is NOT scary at all! The descriptions are NOT overly gorey or gross. The horror is NOT traumatizing. (IMO)
My credentials? I’m a scaredy cat. 😅
Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for the arc! All opinions are my own 🩵
Murdered girl's soul possess a creepy porcelain doll with the intent to kill her killer.
You know what I didn’t expect in a book about death and doll possessions? One of the best female friendships between an inanimate object and an outcast that I’ve ever read. They’re snarky to each other AND both hella twisted in the head, but there’s no denying that Nicola and Lucy are ride or die! The fact that they both hate the same person is simply fate at its finest! ✨✨
A funny interaction that perfectly sums Lucy and Nicola’s relationship:
“Have you considered eating real food?” (About a McDonald’s milkshake)
“Have you considered that you’re still on thin ice, you porcelain piece of shit?”
The second half of this book was UNPUTDOWNABLE! I lived through the murder with Lucy and watching her chase after revenge was like chicken soup for my soul. The first half, however, was tedious with LOTS of talking, being stuck in display cases, and reading about a porcelain doll shattering and being hot glued back together. Trudge through that part to get to the riveting and ohhhh so satisfying second half!
Overall it’s a solid book. Interesting premise for those looking to read about revenge, female friendships, and creepy dolls possessed by a sarcastic dead girl on a murder mission. 😈
*For anyone horror adverse like myself:
This book is NOT scary at all! The descriptions are NOT overly gorey or gross. The horror is NOT traumatizing. (IMO)
My credentials? I’m a scaredy cat. 😅
Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for the arc! All opinions are my own 🩵
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1746468325i/66224803._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
April 16, 2026
It’s only natural to jump into a doll body when you’re being murdered, right?
Right?
In horror movies being a hunted doll always looks so easy. I mean, look at Chucky.
But after being murdered and sticking her soul into a bride doll, Lucy realizes it’s damn hard.
Time is not on your side (literally) and it takes a lot of work to move.
But rage, real unfiltered rage gets you moving. As good as revenge does.
A book full of female rage, female friendship and badass woman.
This book not only made me smile, but also made me oh so mad at the world.
I had so much fun reading it, I flew through it in under 24 hours.
For all my horror loving girlies (and boys etc), try this one out.
You won’t regret it!
Right?
In horror movies being a hunted doll always looks so easy. I mean, look at Chucky.
But after being murdered and sticking her soul into a bride doll, Lucy realizes it’s damn hard.
Time is not on your side (literally) and it takes a lot of work to move.
But rage, real unfiltered rage gets you moving. As good as revenge does.
A book full of female rage, female friendship and badass woman.
This book not only made me smile, but also made me oh so mad at the world.
I had so much fun reading it, I flew through it in under 24 hours.
For all my horror loving girlies (and boys etc), try this one out.
You won’t regret it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨🩷 She’s a Doll 🩷✨
Oooof this one was devastating.
I came for the feminine rage and stayed for the emotional damage 😭💔
This book absolutely wrecked me. The anger, grief, and sadness throughout the story was so deep and consuming.
I do think the ending and epilogue kept this from being a full 5 star read for me though. I’m not even fully sure what I needed from the ending, but I wanted just a bit more closure after everything. And I am not sure I liked Lucy's situation.
🔪 What to Expect
• Possessed doll FMC
• Revenge
• Female rage
• Small town secrets
• Murder mystery
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
📝 Thank you to Bindery Books, Ezeekat Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Oooof this one was devastating.
I came for the feminine rage and stayed for the emotional damage 😭💔
This book absolutely wrecked me. The anger, grief, and sadness throughout the story was so deep and consuming.
I do think the ending and epilogue kept this from being a full 5 star read for me though. I’m not even fully sure what I needed from the ending, but I wanted just a bit more closure after everything. And I am not sure I liked Lucy's situation.
🔪 What to Expect
• Possessed doll FMC
• Revenge
• Female rage
• Small town secrets
• Murder mystery
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: September 8, 2026
📝 Thank you to Bindery Books, Ezeekat Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 24, 2026
”But I guess that’s what death is. A conversation interrupted. A thread left hanging.”
She’s a Doll was such a blast! A dead girl possessing a doll to get revenge on the guy who killed her??? Say less. Easily one of my top 5 books of 2026.
I do have to admit I did went into this expecting something a bit more dark and serious. Don’t ask me why. But the book leans a lot more into absurdity and humor, which was fun! It was definitely a breath of fresh air. It made it weird, ridiculously entertaining and genuinely funny.
I adored Lucy and Nicola’s relationship and how it evolved throughout the book. Their dynamic carried a lot of the story for me. The banter was sooooo good and that damn toy car had me crying every time it appeared.
”But without a body, I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t test my hypothesis. I was stuck. Trapped. Reduced. All because of him.”
The pacing was amazing. I loved how unpredictable it started to become the more I read it. I ended up reading half the book on a saturday because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. And I needed to know what happened at the end!!!
My only “complaint” is that I wish Lucy’s revenge was a bit more impactful. I was waiting on more rage, maybe a little bit of gore, perhaps more horror… Some parts of the ending felt a biiiiit rushed compared to the rest of the story’s pacing. But honestly I had so much fun with this book I barely cared.
A thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
She’s a Doll was such a blast! A dead girl possessing a doll to get revenge on the guy who killed her??? Say less. Easily one of my top 5 books of 2026.
I do have to admit I did went into this expecting something a bit more dark and serious. Don’t ask me why. But the book leans a lot more into absurdity and humor, which was fun! It was definitely a breath of fresh air. It made it weird, ridiculously entertaining and genuinely funny.
I adored Lucy and Nicola’s relationship and how it evolved throughout the book. Their dynamic carried a lot of the story for me. The banter was sooooo good and that damn toy car had me crying every time it appeared.
”But without a body, I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t test my hypothesis. I was stuck. Trapped. Reduced. All because of him.”
The pacing was amazing. I loved how unpredictable it started to become the more I read it. I ended up reading half the book on a saturday because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. And I needed to know what happened at the end!!!
My only “complaint” is that I wish Lucy’s revenge was a bit more impactful. I was waiting on more rage, maybe a little bit of gore, perhaps more horror… Some parts of the ending felt a biiiiit rushed compared to the rest of the story’s pacing. But honestly I had so much fun with this book I barely cared.
A thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
May 24, 2026
4.5 stars
This was so fresh and well done. I was endlessly enamored by these quirky, queer, nuanced characters.
It’s really such a perfectly well balanced blend of dark humor, satire, and also serious themes of death, grief and the power of friendship.
I was really blown away by the author’s ability to make you really look into the tragedy of what occurs on one page and laugh out loud at a dark joke on the next page. Every joke landed perfectly. I was really impressed by the fact that this never felt out of place or forced. Hats off to the author, Barbra Truelove for finding such a charming and sincere balance of all these overarching themes.
A quick plot:
Lucy was a 20 year old girl who was gruesomely murdered and instead of dying, her soul is latched onto a doll. Yes she is a doll. With the help of an old friend she meets at an antique shop and a magical hearing aid, she is determined to seek vengeance on the man who killed her.
I was immediately sold from the last line of the content warning page.
“This is Lucy’s story, and Lucy’s a liar. She’s one of those sneaky sorts of liars who’s straight up with the big things, the important things, but will get a little slippery when it comes to the small stuff, the details.”
I love an absolutely chaotic unreliable female narrator more than life itself. And I really loved Lucy.
Highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark humor, campy plot points, and chaotic feminine rage.
Thanks so much to Barbra Truelove, Bindery Books & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my sincere review.
This was so fresh and well done. I was endlessly enamored by these quirky, queer, nuanced characters.
It’s really such a perfectly well balanced blend of dark humor, satire, and also serious themes of death, grief and the power of friendship.
I was really blown away by the author’s ability to make you really look into the tragedy of what occurs on one page and laugh out loud at a dark joke on the next page. Every joke landed perfectly. I was really impressed by the fact that this never felt out of place or forced. Hats off to the author, Barbra Truelove for finding such a charming and sincere balance of all these overarching themes.
A quick plot:
Lucy was a 20 year old girl who was gruesomely murdered and instead of dying, her soul is latched onto a doll. Yes she is a doll. With the help of an old friend she meets at an antique shop and a magical hearing aid, she is determined to seek vengeance on the man who killed her.
I was immediately sold from the last line of the content warning page.
“This is Lucy’s story, and Lucy’s a liar. She’s one of those sneaky sorts of liars who’s straight up with the big things, the important things, but will get a little slippery when it comes to the small stuff, the details.”
I love an absolutely chaotic unreliable female narrator more than life itself. And I really loved Lucy.
Highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark humor, campy plot points, and chaotic feminine rage.
Thanks so much to Barbra Truelove, Bindery Books & NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my sincere review.
Want to Read
March 28, 2026Imagine being mauled by an antique doll. How hard might this be if you're only 18 inches tall and made of porcelain?
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bindery Books and the author, Barbara Truelove for an early copy.
Publication date: September 8, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bindery Books and the author, Barbara Truelove for an early copy.
Publication date: September 8, 2026
March 18, 2026
First of all, full disclosure: LOVE a Haunted Doll! I’m already a member of that fandom. So a haunted doll book? Consider me sold! Nonetheless, even without my established enthusiasm and predisposition to favor a haunted doll book, I still think this book succeeds in a number of notable ways. To paraphrase the protagonist, a haunted doll is “not a typical girl,” and rather than just coasting on the merits of its sexy haunted doll concept, this book works hard to provide a different perspective — and specifically, to illuminate precisely how and why a haunted doll is not your typical girl.
Folks, be forewarned that this makes for some dark reading: what makes this a better book also makes it a more tragic one. Despite many moments that are on the witty side or may be humorous to envision, overall I found that this book is quite (appropriately) sad and serious and can be a hard read at times as a result. The book does not gloss over the horrible reality behind how Lucy became a haunted doll in the first place, ripped from her life at a critical point in her identity formation and young adult development, and all the grief and loss she and others experience as a result.
Additionally, the book very imaginatively and in great detail illustrates the complicated process of becoming different iterations of a functional and interpersonally relating, continuing-to-evolve haunted doll over time. People, there’s a lot of logistics and engineering and emotions and innovative communication efforts and ongoing personal growth and identity development involved in all this: it’s not just, hurrah, I’m a haunted doll now, period, problem solved! Becoming a haunted doll is no easy respite or reprieve, but rather only the first step in a grueling new journey. (As luck would have it, being a woman just can NEVER be easy, unfortunately even for a woman who is a haunted doll.) In many ways, this book offers what could be considered a true and deep character study of a haunted doll rather than the usual facile depiction, and I really appreciated this!
In addition to all this unexpected depth, the book of course also explores themes the reader is likely hoping for, including and especially (justified) female anger as well as dynamics of friendship, trust, and love between women. And at the end of the day — it IS still a fun book about a haunted doll doing haunted doll things, and haunted dolls are inherently awesome! — even if it’s not easy being a haunted doll.
A must-read for spooky season or anytime that gives a favorite trope the thoughtful and creative attention it deserves. My big thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Bindery Books/Ezeekat Press for the ARC of She’s a Doll, scheduled for release on September 8, 2026!
Folks, be forewarned that this makes for some dark reading: what makes this a better book also makes it a more tragic one. Despite many moments that are on the witty side or may be humorous to envision, overall I found that this book is quite (appropriately) sad and serious and can be a hard read at times as a result. The book does not gloss over the horrible reality behind how Lucy became a haunted doll in the first place, ripped from her life at a critical point in her identity formation and young adult development, and all the grief and loss she and others experience as a result.
Additionally, the book very imaginatively and in great detail illustrates the complicated process of becoming different iterations of a functional and interpersonally relating, continuing-to-evolve haunted doll over time. People, there’s a lot of logistics and engineering and emotions and innovative communication efforts and ongoing personal growth and identity development involved in all this: it’s not just, hurrah, I’m a haunted doll now, period, problem solved! Becoming a haunted doll is no easy respite or reprieve, but rather only the first step in a grueling new journey. (As luck would have it, being a woman just can NEVER be easy, unfortunately even for a woman who is a haunted doll.) In many ways, this book offers what could be considered a true and deep character study of a haunted doll rather than the usual facile depiction, and I really appreciated this!
In addition to all this unexpected depth, the book of course also explores themes the reader is likely hoping for, including and especially (justified) female anger as well as dynamics of friendship, trust, and love between women. And at the end of the day — it IS still a fun book about a haunted doll doing haunted doll things, and haunted dolls are inherently awesome! — even if it’s not easy being a haunted doll.
A must-read for spooky season or anytime that gives a favorite trope the thoughtful and creative attention it deserves. My big thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Bindery Books/Ezeekat Press for the ARC of She’s a Doll, scheduled for release on September 8, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
8/6/26: 5 stars! RTC
...................
4/6/26: got approved for the ARC! So intrigued by this one 👀
...................
4/6/26: got approved for the ARC! So intrigued by this one 👀
May 19, 2026
✨✨✨Chucky but make it hilarious and also a bit heartwarming!✨✨✨
I really enjoyed She’s a Doll ! It’s a very fast-paced and fun read. This book has a lot more humor than I was expecting for a book about a girl that gets murdered and her spirit ends up inside a doll. Oh and she is planning to kill the guy that killed her!! I really love female rage!!! 👏 I absolutely loved the banter between Lucy and Nicola!! The friendship between them was super cute too! I absolutely loved the ending and overall just had such a good time reading this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 8, 2026 .
I really enjoyed She’s a Doll ! It’s a very fast-paced and fun read. This book has a lot more humor than I was expecting for a book about a girl that gets murdered and her spirit ends up inside a doll. Oh and she is planning to kill the guy that killed her!! I really love female rage!!! 👏 I absolutely loved the banter between Lucy and Nicola!! The friendship between them was super cute too! I absolutely loved the ending and overall just had such a good time reading this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released September 8, 2026 .
June 23, 2026
I had a really good time with this book. After some heavier and longer reads I really needed a shorter read that packed a punch. And I’m so glad I chose this one, because it was exactly what I needed. I flew through this book, the writing had a compulsive quality to it that I really liked. The plot was unhinged in the best of ways, and delivered on the revenge and the satisfaction that comes with it (I love a revenge story, and I support women’s wrongs). Lucy was a good main character, her relationships with the other women in this book were pleasant to read. Overall, it was a very fun and unhinged novel that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
April 2, 2026
“I’d been murdered.
And now I was in the body of a doll.
A. Fucking. Doll.”
After a disastrous tea party, Lucy is at home trying to forget all about it. But she gets an unexpected visitor and gets murdered. But before she can move on, she gets herself trapped in a doll and that doll then ends up being donated to a thrift shop and Nicola joins the chat. Turns out Nicola can hear Lucy through her hearing aid and that is when our road to revenge begins 😈
This was such a unique spin on the haunted doll trope! It had all the female rage and revenge a girl could want. The creativity was immaculate and it had the PERFECT balance of dark humor and seriousness. I adore Barbara’s writing style and felt so in sync with it every step of the way. This book is EASILY my top read of 2026 so far!
She’s a Doll will be released on 9/8/2026 so be sure to preorder your copy now!!
So grateful to NetGalley for giving me an ARC!!
And now I was in the body of a doll.
A. Fucking. Doll.”
After a disastrous tea party, Lucy is at home trying to forget all about it. But she gets an unexpected visitor and gets murdered. But before she can move on, she gets herself trapped in a doll and that doll then ends up being donated to a thrift shop and Nicola joins the chat. Turns out Nicola can hear Lucy through her hearing aid and that is when our road to revenge begins 😈
This was such a unique spin on the haunted doll trope! It had all the female rage and revenge a girl could want. The creativity was immaculate and it had the PERFECT balance of dark humor and seriousness. I adore Barbara’s writing style and felt so in sync with it every step of the way. This book is EASILY my top read of 2026 so far!
She’s a Doll will be released on 9/8/2026 so be sure to preorder your copy now!!
So grateful to NetGalley for giving me an ARC!!
April 15, 2026
Easy 5 stars. Barbara Truelove has done it again. Seriously. She knocked this one completely out of the park.
She’s a Doll might actually end up being my favorite book of the year, and it’s only because I’m trying to show restraint that I’m saying might. And honestly… I did not expect to have this many feelings about a possessed, revenge-filled doll. Yet here we are. Somehow the author managed to take a premise that sounds wild on paper and turn it into something emotional, funny, and weirdly heartfelt. And some of the parts were so relatable that I had to have a talk with myself in the mirror.
Big thumbs up from me and an easy recommendation.
Okay Barbara… what are you writing next? Because I’ll be first in line. 👀
Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery for the amazing eARC in exchange for an honest review.
She’s a Doll might actually end up being my favorite book of the year, and it’s only because I’m trying to show restraint that I’m saying might. And honestly… I did not expect to have this many feelings about a possessed, revenge-filled doll. Yet here we are. Somehow the author managed to take a premise that sounds wild on paper and turn it into something emotional, funny, and weirdly heartfelt. And some of the parts were so relatable that I had to have a talk with myself in the mirror.
Big thumbs up from me and an easy recommendation.
Okay Barbara… what are you writing next? Because I’ll be first in line. 👀
Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery for the amazing eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2026
I could not put this book down. I loved it so much!
I loved the friendship between Lucy and Nicola and how they both needed each other. It was very touching.
This was probably one of my TOP favorite reads this year thus far.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley as always!
I loved the friendship between Lucy and Nicola and how they both needed each other. It was very touching.
This was probably one of my TOP favorite reads this year thus far.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley as always!
April 7, 2026
Oh my god!!! What did I just read!!!!
This was a Child's Play kind of story with women leading the story and a lot of humour!
"She's a doll" deals with the story of the narrator, Lucy, who has unfairly lost her life in the hands of Kyle. Years later, no one knows what happened and no one mistrusts Kyle and he became an upstanding citizen! But Lu isn't ready to leave without a fight!
This story was so good! While reading the synopsis, I had expectations which was rightfully delivered. The book went through so many phases - the horror of what happened to Lu, her pain of being tied to a doll, and her need for revenge; all while maintaining the pace and suspense as to what would happen.
There were times when I too felt hopeless. Like what can Lu or Nicola do to bring down Kyle. I could see it was pointless! Other times I cried when her lost opportunities were revealed.
Mostly I was satisfied with the fast pace and first person narration that the book takes on. The ending also deserves praise as it ended in a way that won't disappoint the readers.
In conclusion, I was deeply satisfied with the story and the writing style, quickly earning a place in my heart...
This was a Child's Play kind of story with women leading the story and a lot of humour!
"She's a doll" deals with the story of the narrator, Lucy, who has unfairly lost her life in the hands of Kyle. Years later, no one knows what happened and no one mistrusts Kyle and he became an upstanding citizen! But Lu isn't ready to leave without a fight!
This story was so good! While reading the synopsis, I had expectations which was rightfully delivered. The book went through so many phases - the horror of what happened to Lu, her pain of being tied to a doll, and her need for revenge; all while maintaining the pace and suspense as to what would happen.
There were times when I too felt hopeless. Like what can Lu or Nicola do to bring down Kyle. I could see it was pointless! Other times I cried when her lost opportunities were revealed.
Mostly I was satisfied with the fast pace and first person narration that the book takes on. The ending also deserves praise as it ended in a way that won't disappoint the readers.
In conclusion, I was deeply satisfied with the story and the writing style, quickly earning a place in my heart...
March 29, 2026
“She’s A Doll” - Remind me to never fully trust anyone who puts hazelnut syrup in their coffee.
★★★★★
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I leave this review voluntarily.
The promise of a haunted doll was enough to peak my interest and I didn’t expect to fall in love with this story as much as I did.
Lu will haunt my mind for a while, because after finishing this novel I realise I’m not ready to let her go. This story had me hooked and it delivers, female rage, a haunted doll (duh), vengeance, grief, friendship, hurt and a great dose of humour that made me smile even when things were sad.
Easy 5 stars, loved it and now I have to decide what object my spirit will inhabit im case someone decides to end my life.
★★★★★
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I leave this review voluntarily.
The promise of a haunted doll was enough to peak my interest and I didn’t expect to fall in love with this story as much as I did.
Lu will haunt my mind for a while, because after finishing this novel I realise I’m not ready to let her go. This story had me hooked and it delivers, female rage, a haunted doll (duh), vengeance, grief, friendship, hurt and a great dose of humour that made me smile even when things were sad.
Easy 5 stars, loved it and now I have to decide what object my spirit will inhabit im case someone decides to end my life.
Want to Read
February 4, 2026this cover is so good and I love how fun this one sounds! A killer porcelain doll looking to find her killer and return the favor! I love it! Can't wait for this release: Pub date: 10/2026!
April 3, 2026
This was a fun read, but that's about the extent of it.
This wasn't nearly as horror filled & unhinged as I was hoping/expecting. The whole story, Lu kept talking about how "spooky" is her "brand" but she was anything but.
While I get that some men are just terrible & do terrible things, I do wish that there would've been more of an established relationship between Lucy & Kyle, or an actual motive behind him murdering her. Her murder happens early in the book, but that whole scene felt out of place & rushed. I think adding more dimension in their relationship/that scene would've added more of an emotional charge to Lucy wanting & finally getting her revenge. She was rage filled, sure, but it didn't feel like there was any substance behind it.
Unfortunately, I felt that the plot became repetitive & bland. While I absolutely loooooved Lu & Nicola's relationship, most of the story was just them arguing back and forth about doing Lucy's 'Plan A' or Nicola's 'Plan B'.
I loved the feminine rage, the found family, the exploration of sexuality & all of Lu's body changes, but most of this fell flat for me.
Overall, She's A Doll was an adequately competent read.
This wasn't nearly as horror filled & unhinged as I was hoping/expecting. The whole story, Lu kept talking about how "spooky" is her "brand" but she was anything but.
While I get that some men are just terrible & do terrible things, I do wish that there would've been more of an established relationship between Lucy & Kyle, or an actual motive behind him murdering her. Her murder happens early in the book, but that whole scene felt out of place & rushed. I think adding more dimension in their relationship/that scene would've added more of an emotional charge to Lucy wanting & finally getting her revenge. She was rage filled, sure, but it didn't feel like there was any substance behind it.
Unfortunately, I felt that the plot became repetitive & bland. While I absolutely loooooved Lu & Nicola's relationship, most of the story was just them arguing back and forth about doing Lucy's 'Plan A' or Nicola's 'Plan B'.
I loved the feminine rage, the found family, the exploration of sexuality & all of Lu's body changes, but most of this fell flat for me.
Overall, She's A Doll was an adequately competent read.
May 1, 2026
Thank you to net galley and bindery books for this incredible EARC !!!
•
Imagine having been murdered. Next you find your spirit tied to a porcelain bridal doll. What would you do to get revenge on your killer? Will you be lucky enough to find anyone to help? This is She’s A Doll. An incredible story that bleeds revenge, intense emotion in grief, and humor all together. I seriously loved this book. It’s weird. It’s freaky. It’s hilarious. It’s full of grief for the past and present but in a really gorgeous way. The ending was also very rewarding and left me feeling warm and fuzzy which from a book about getting revenge on your murderer all while being in the body of a porcelain doll is quite hilarious and dark. You’ll feel twisted after this book in the best way. And you’ll never look at a woman with a mullet again and not think to yourself “what a beautiful badass.” I promise.
•
Imagine having been murdered. Next you find your spirit tied to a porcelain bridal doll. What would you do to get revenge on your killer? Will you be lucky enough to find anyone to help? This is She’s A Doll. An incredible story that bleeds revenge, intense emotion in grief, and humor all together. I seriously loved this book. It’s weird. It’s freaky. It’s hilarious. It’s full of grief for the past and present but in a really gorgeous way. The ending was also very rewarding and left me feeling warm and fuzzy which from a book about getting revenge on your murderer all while being in the body of a porcelain doll is quite hilarious and dark. You’ll feel twisted after this book in the best way. And you’ll never look at a woman with a mullet again and not think to yourself “what a beautiful badass.” I promise.
April 2, 2026
Thanks to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
Dying sucks. Dying then throwing your own essence into a shitty porcelain doll might just suck more. Lucy is a normal girl who’s just trying to find herself, but when a mistake cost her her life, she decides to take revenge on the man that killed her.
I thought this was super funny and especially loved the parts about the deteriorating doll body, and subsequent toy part adaptations. I wouldn’t really call this horror, other than there is some murder, and a possessed doll? I will say this is based in Australia, so there were a few terms or cultural idioms that I didn’t quite understand, but it didn’t hinder the overall story in any way.
Will be recommending to all my book friends!
Dying sucks. Dying then throwing your own essence into a shitty porcelain doll might just suck more. Lucy is a normal girl who’s just trying to find herself, but when a mistake cost her her life, she decides to take revenge on the man that killed her.
I thought this was super funny and especially loved the parts about the deteriorating doll body, and subsequent toy part adaptations. I wouldn’t really call this horror, other than there is some murder, and a possessed doll? I will say this is based in Australia, so there were a few terms or cultural idioms that I didn’t quite understand, but it didn’t hinder the overall story in any way.
Will be recommending to all my book friends!
June 13, 2026
Weird girl horror books are so in. What a hilarious and imaginative story about a girl getting vengeance on her killer. Chucky style because of course! This porcelain doll goes through so many variations, getting creepier and creepier as she attaches her soul to one of the 3 porcelain dolls in the room with her when she dies. And when she realizes she’s conscious, on a shelf and what’s happened to her? She makes it her mission to find her killer and return the favor.
Releasing on September 8th - this was such a fun book to read! Inside is more than just a doll seeking vengeance. It’s about Lucy, the girl who died, coming to terms with her soul remaining tethered on earth and seeking answers to the questions she keeps repeating… Why did he do this? Why couldn’t I stop him? What happens to me now? Complete with a budding friendship between the haunted doll and a girl she once knew who’s begrudgingly decided to help her, this story is intriguing and reflective. It highlights the others and those who’ve always felt either too loud, too quiet, or never enough.
Also, I can’t complete this review without thanking the author for accurately describing hazelnut lattes. When speaking of the killer, he: “Always got hazelnut syrup. Only sociopaths get hazelnut syrup.” …. pretty sure I’ve only read pro-hazelnut propaganda until this novel 😆
~Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions in this review are my own~
Releasing on September 8th - this was such a fun book to read! Inside is more than just a doll seeking vengeance. It’s about Lucy, the girl who died, coming to terms with her soul remaining tethered on earth and seeking answers to the questions she keeps repeating… Why did he do this? Why couldn’t I stop him? What happens to me now? Complete with a budding friendship between the haunted doll and a girl she once knew who’s begrudgingly decided to help her, this story is intriguing and reflective. It highlights the others and those who’ve always felt either too loud, too quiet, or never enough.
Also, I can’t complete this review without thanking the author for accurately describing hazelnut lattes. When speaking of the killer, he: “Always got hazelnut syrup. Only sociopaths get hazelnut syrup.” …. pretty sure I’ve only read pro-hazelnut propaganda until this novel 😆
~Thank you to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions in this review are my own~
May 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
It’s always so hard to find haunted doll literature that features the doll as the main attraction, but this book pulls this off with aplomb. I love a haunted doll with a bit of snark, and Lucy is excellent for this. She is such a salty character, and I understand that she doesn’t start as the most likeable, but she ends up becoming so much better over time.
The first half of the book is a little slow, but with that said, I understand why it takes such a long time to pick up. I think the queer themes were explored wonderfully well, and I loved that they felt more natural than other books with a similar tone.
The comedic parts of this were really good, but I felt like there could have been a little bit more of the horror. The second half of the book was faster paced, but it was a very much an original story, which I loved. I do think it could have been a little less humorous, and there could have been a little more poignancy in the relationship too.
Most of the characters were really well grounded, and I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t a huge standout for me. I can definitely see that this would be a hit for some people, and I’m really keen to see the direction this goes.
It’s always so hard to find haunted doll literature that features the doll as the main attraction, but this book pulls this off with aplomb. I love a haunted doll with a bit of snark, and Lucy is excellent for this. She is such a salty character, and I understand that she doesn’t start as the most likeable, but she ends up becoming so much better over time.
The first half of the book is a little slow, but with that said, I understand why it takes such a long time to pick up. I think the queer themes were explored wonderfully well, and I loved that they felt more natural than other books with a similar tone.
The comedic parts of this were really good, but I felt like there could have been a little bit more of the horror. The second half of the book was faster paced, but it was a very much an original story, which I loved. I do think it could have been a little less humorous, and there could have been a little more poignancy in the relationship too.
Most of the characters were really well grounded, and I enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t a huge standout for me. I can definitely see that this would be a hit for some people, and I’m really keen to see the direction this goes.
April 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for an ebook arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars. I would check trigger warnings as some topics and scenes are graphic.
What a fun, creepy, quirky book. Let's see...murder, possession, creepy doll, and revenge? Yes please!
This book follows our main character Lucy who is a little on the quirky side. Nothing wrong with that. She attends a party that she left early to return back to the house she shares with her grandmother. Unfortunately for her, she is murdered that night by someone she knows and thought she could trust. Instead of slipping off into oblivion or heading to heaven or hell, Lucy fixates on a doll as her life is slipping from her. Next thing she knows, her spirit is the doll. In time, she realizes she can move and she has only one thing on her mind. Find Kyle and kill Kyle. Luckily for her, she finds one person who can hear her and help her, an old friend named Nicola. Together they team up to put a stop to Kyle. Is that going to be through ruining his reputation, scaring him into confessing, or the ultimate payback?
I found this book fun and engaging. The main characters each had their own positive qualities and some that were a little annoying at times. It was occasionally over the top, but that kind of made it even funnier. This book had a few scares, but it also discussed and focused on grief too. I also loved that this book included LGBTQIA+ representation. I think this would actually make a cool audiobook, especially with the doll voice.
Overall, I had fun with this book and recommend it to my horror friends.
3.5 stars. I would check trigger warnings as some topics and scenes are graphic.
What a fun, creepy, quirky book. Let's see...murder, possession, creepy doll, and revenge? Yes please!
This book follows our main character Lucy who is a little on the quirky side. Nothing wrong with that. She attends a party that she left early to return back to the house she shares with her grandmother. Unfortunately for her, she is murdered that night by someone she knows and thought she could trust. Instead of slipping off into oblivion or heading to heaven or hell, Lucy fixates on a doll as her life is slipping from her. Next thing she knows, her spirit is the doll. In time, she realizes she can move and she has only one thing on her mind. Find Kyle and kill Kyle. Luckily for her, she finds one person who can hear her and help her, an old friend named Nicola. Together they team up to put a stop to Kyle. Is that going to be through ruining his reputation, scaring him into confessing, or the ultimate payback?
I found this book fun and engaging. The main characters each had their own positive qualities and some that were a little annoying at times. It was occasionally over the top, but that kind of made it even funnier. This book had a few scares, but it also discussed and focused on grief too. I also loved that this book included LGBTQIA+ representation. I think this would actually make a cool audiobook, especially with the doll voice.
Overall, I had fun with this book and recommend it to my horror friends.
March 26, 2026
ARC Review ❤️ Release date- Sep 8th 2026
What a kooky, spooky little read! While the first half felt a little slow and clunky at times, the second half had me absolutely hooked and I stayed up until midnight to finish. I loved the exploration of grief, revenge, the power of friendship in healing, and queer identity. I love a story drenched in female rage and revenge, and this was delivered with a campy humour which made it super accessible to read! Being so mad you stay behind and attach your essence to a creepy doll to ensure you can enact revenge?? Absolutely.
Pro tip- read the book club question suggestions at the end of the book, they’re iconic!
Thanks to Barbara Truelove, NetGalley, Bindery Books and Ezeekat Press for the ARC 🫶🏻
What a kooky, spooky little read! While the first half felt a little slow and clunky at times, the second half had me absolutely hooked and I stayed up until midnight to finish. I loved the exploration of grief, revenge, the power of friendship in healing, and queer identity. I love a story drenched in female rage and revenge, and this was delivered with a campy humour which made it super accessible to read! Being so mad you stay behind and attach your essence to a creepy doll to ensure you can enact revenge?? Absolutely.
Pro tip- read the book club question suggestions at the end of the book, they’re iconic!
Thanks to Barbara Truelove, NetGalley, Bindery Books and Ezeekat Press for the ARC 🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
‘She’s a doll’ is without a doubt one of the most unique books I’ve read, in a really good way. Barbara Truelove surprised me with the Australian setting (as an Australian I have, for some reason, a bias against Australian-set media) but surprisingly this was refreshing to read and I found I could picture the small town that Lu and Nic live in, along with the small town prejudice that Aussie small towners know all too well.
This story was emotional, a little gut wrenching, and unimaginable in the sense that I hated to imagine and try to put myself in the shoes that Lu was currently wearing (metaphorically). The injustice of it all made my heart hurt with her. This book makes you appreciate what you have that’s for sure.
Thanks NetGalley and Bindery Books for the arc 💀🕷️🔪
This story was emotional, a little gut wrenching, and unimaginable in the sense that I hated to imagine and try to put myself in the shoes that Lu was currently wearing (metaphorically). The injustice of it all made my heart hurt with her. This book makes you appreciate what you have that’s for sure.
Thanks NetGalley and Bindery Books for the arc 💀🕷️🔪
June 16, 2026
5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!!
Lucy has just graduated, and has been awarded with a certificate that proclaims her to be an adequately competent business administrator. Lucy feels free, and grateful, but she has noone to truly celebrate with or tell about her achievements. She’s invited to an old high school nemesis’ party, opting to go there and blowing off her best friend’s invitation to hang out. While there, she realizes how different she is from everyone. If only someone was there to listen to her thoughts, her opinions, her wants.
After a vent session gone wrong, Lucy ends up dead and being trapped in the body of a porcelain doll. She schemes up a plan to kill her murderer, roping in a former classmate to her bloody plan. Along the way, she realizes who she really is, what friendship really is , and that the world isn’t black and white.
~~~
I felt so bad for Lucy, I remember being lost and confused after getting a degree, wondering what my next moves will be. Everyone constantly dismisses her, except for her close knit family of her dog, aunt and grandma. A mix of a revenge story and a coming-of-age tale.
Lucy has just graduated, and has been awarded with a certificate that proclaims her to be an adequately competent business administrator. Lucy feels free, and grateful, but she has noone to truly celebrate with or tell about her achievements. She’s invited to an old high school nemesis’ party, opting to go there and blowing off her best friend’s invitation to hang out. While there, she realizes how different she is from everyone. If only someone was there to listen to her thoughts, her opinions, her wants.
After a vent session gone wrong, Lucy ends up dead and being trapped in the body of a porcelain doll. She schemes up a plan to kill her murderer, roping in a former classmate to her bloody plan. Along the way, she realizes who she really is, what friendship really is , and that the world isn’t black and white.
~~~
I felt so bad for Lucy, I remember being lost and confused after getting a degree, wondering what my next moves will be. Everyone constantly dismisses her, except for her close knit family of her dog, aunt and grandma. A mix of a revenge story and a coming-of-age tale.
March 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books/Ezeekat Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Of Monsters and Mainframes was a surprise 5 star read for me in 2025. I had no idea Truelove had a new book coming out so I was so excited to be approved to read this early.
With that said, I absolutely loved She’s a Doll. Exploring feminine rage through the eyes of a possessed doll out for revenge? 1000% yes. It’s such a unique way to explore the ways in which women are treated a lot of the time by men and society in general and what it feels like to not be believed.
I really enjoyed watching Lucy and Nicola’s friendship develop throughout despite all the fucked up shit happening to them and I felt the ending was satisfying. There were also several parts where I laughed out loud and a couple parts that made me teary eyed. Also, kudos to the Of Monsters and Mainframes reference (I got a kick out of that).
I also love Truelove’s writing. There is something about it that flows so well and keeps me reading chapter after chapter. I never want to take a break and it always holds my attention, which can be hard to do since I’m such a vibe reader and get distracted easily.
Overall I’d say this entry has solidified Truelove as an auto-buy author for me. I can’t recommend it enough. If you like stories about haunted dolls that yearn for revenge, feminine rage, and horror with comedic elements, you will want to add this to your TBR. What’s that expression the younger generation uses? Oh yeah, the vibes were immaculate.
With that said, I absolutely loved She’s a Doll. Exploring feminine rage through the eyes of a possessed doll out for revenge? 1000% yes. It’s such a unique way to explore the ways in which women are treated a lot of the time by men and society in general and what it feels like to not be believed.
I really enjoyed watching Lucy and Nicola’s friendship develop throughout despite all the fucked up shit happening to them and I felt the ending was satisfying. There were also several parts where I laughed out loud and a couple parts that made me teary eyed. Also, kudos to the Of Monsters and Mainframes reference (I got a kick out of that).
I also love Truelove’s writing. There is something about it that flows so well and keeps me reading chapter after chapter. I never want to take a break and it always holds my attention, which can be hard to do since I’m such a vibe reader and get distracted easily.
Overall I’d say this entry has solidified Truelove as an auto-buy author for me. I can’t recommend it enough. If you like stories about haunted dolls that yearn for revenge, feminine rage, and horror with comedic elements, you will want to add this to your TBR. What’s that expression the younger generation uses? Oh yeah, the vibes were immaculate.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh my god that was good. I expected it to be good but it was even better than that. I read it all in one sitting. I could not put it down.
It was exactly as funny and dark and sad as it seems from the description, though I didn't expect to nearly cry reading this. I feel like this is a top female rage/revenge story. I went into it fully expecting it to be my kind of book, and it was. If the blurb appeals to you, absolutely read this.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was exactly as funny and dark and sad as it seems from the description, though I didn't expect to nearly cry reading this. I feel like this is a top female rage/revenge story. I went into it fully expecting it to be my kind of book, and it was. If the blurb appeals to you, absolutely read this.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2026
I loved this book.
It began very quickly and did not let up. The pacing was great and I devoured this book in two sittings. The writing was funny, quirky, and Lucy was a great protagonist.
There were definitely some darker and scarier moments but overall this is a dark horror/revenge comedy. But during the climactic moment I was genuinely panicking. The author did not hold back on the revenge aspect and I loved how the ending was not what would be expected.
My only gripe is the character of Kyle wasn’t super fleshed out so I couldn’t hate him as much as I needed to. Or something.
Will read more by this author. 4.5 stars. Thank you netgalley and publishers for the ARC!
It began very quickly and did not let up. The pacing was great and I devoured this book in two sittings. The writing was funny, quirky, and Lucy was a great protagonist.
There were definitely some darker and scarier moments but overall this is a dark horror/revenge comedy. But during the climactic moment I was genuinely panicking. The author did not hold back on the revenge aspect and I loved how the ending was not what would be expected.
My only gripe is the character of Kyle wasn’t super fleshed out so I couldn’t hate him as much as I needed to. Or something.
Will read more by this author. 4.5 stars. Thank you netgalley and publishers for the ARC!
May 12, 2026
everyone put this on your TBR - made me laugh, cry, and I couldn’t put it down for a second. the characters are amazing and I haven’t felt that type of “did that actually happen or is the main POV lying to me?” since the secret history. I absolutely adored it - I cannot wait for this to come out so I can rave about it!!
4 ⭐️
4 ⭐️
June 8, 2026
This was a fun book that tackles grief, revenge, and the importance of female friendship. It has the perfect amount of weirdness. The writing style is very snarky and witty and totally worked for me. I was immediately hooked and had to see what would happen. Justice 4 Lucy.
Thank you Bindery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Bindery Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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