What do you think?
Rate this book
Mother Loves Me
The creepiest debut thriller you will read this year!
One little girl.
Mirabelle’s mother loves her. She’s her ‘little doll’. Mother dresses her, paints her face, and plaits her hair. But as Mirabelle grows, the dresses no longer fit quite as well, the face paint no longer looks quite so pretty. And Mother isn’t happy.
Two little girls.
On Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a present – a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle, who Mother has rescued from the outside world.
But Mother only needs one.
As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she also realizes that her life isn’t what she thought it was. And that dolls often end up on the scrap heap…
One little girl.
Mirabelle’s mother loves her. She’s her ‘little doll’. Mother dresses her, paints her face, and plaits her hair. But as Mirabelle grows, the dresses no longer fit quite as well, the face paint no longer looks quite so pretty. And Mother isn’t happy.
Two little girls.
On Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a present – a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle, who Mother has rescued from the outside world.
But Mother only needs one.
As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she also realizes that her life isn’t what she thought it was. And that dolls often end up on the scrap heap…
295 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2020
96 people are currently reading
2771 people want to read
About the author
Abby Davies
6 books200 followersHello :) I write suspenseful psychological thrillers with a hint of horror. I'm book-obsessed and only review books I enjoy! I hope you enjoy my books and that they don't creep you out...too much ;)
Come and learn more about my books and subscribe to my newsletter to win gifts and receive sneak peaks of early releases at www.abbydavies.com
I'm active on Instagram, so please come and say hi @abbydavieauthor - I love chatting books and writing!
Come and learn more about my books and subscribe to my newsletter to win gifts and receive sneak peaks of early releases at www.abbydavies.com
I'm active on Instagram, so please come and say hi @abbydavieauthor - I love chatting books and writing!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 490 reviews
September 6, 2020
Wow!! Wait a minute while I get my breath back and stop my head from spinning. “Mother Loves Me” is a chilling thriller that kept me awake into the early hours of the morning and thinking about it long after reading it.
Mirabelle is thirteen years old, has never been outside and is homeschooled by her mother. Slightly strange you might be thinking .... Well now for the crazy part, every day Mirabelle’s mother paints her face with makeup and puts her in a frilly dress, so that she is a walking, talking living doll.
On her birthday Mirabelle’s mother has a special gift for her. a new sister. Clarabelle is five and her mother rescued her from a bad man. But now that mother has a new doll does she still need Mirabelle? and as mother says “A dolls life is not a long life”
This is such a gripping thriller with lots of twists along the way. Reading this gave me goosebumps and I don’t think I will ever be able to look at a painted doll again without thinking about this book.
A must read book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Mirabelle is thirteen years old, has never been outside and is homeschooled by her mother. Slightly strange you might be thinking .... Well now for the crazy part, every day Mirabelle’s mother paints her face with makeup and puts her in a frilly dress, so that she is a walking, talking living doll.
On her birthday Mirabelle’s mother has a special gift for her. a new sister. Clarabelle is five and her mother rescued her from a bad man. But now that mother has a new doll does she still need Mirabelle? and as mother says “A dolls life is not a long life”
This is such a gripping thriller with lots of twists along the way. Reading this gave me goosebumps and I don’t think I will ever be able to look at a painted doll again without thinking about this book.
A must read book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
September 12, 2020
Mirabelle is her mother's little doll. Her mother paints her face and dresses her like a doll. Mirabelle is thirteen years old and lives with her mother in a house where all the windows are boarded up and the doors are always locked. Mirabelle isn't allowed to go outside. One day, her mother brings home a five year old girl called Clarabelle.
This is a creepy read. I was hooked from the first page. It's a real roller coaster read. The pace is fast and at times I was on the edge of my seat. It did not take me long to devour this book as I couldn't put it down. This is a cleverly crafted read with a crackpot protagonist. I can't say too much about the plot even though I'd like to. This is a well written debut novel and I can't wait to read more from this author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #AbbyDavis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a creepy read. I was hooked from the first page. It's a real roller coaster read. The pace is fast and at times I was on the edge of my seat. It did not take me long to devour this book as I couldn't put it down. This is a cleverly crafted read with a crackpot protagonist. I can't say too much about the plot even though I'd like to. This is a well written debut novel and I can't wait to read more from this author.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #AbbyDavis for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2021
This sensational debut really captures a child's innocence in the creepily simplistic prose and firmly makes the reader worry for the well-being of 13 year old Mirabelle.
Straight from the outset something doesn't feel quite right as her mother likes to paint her up to be just like a little doll.
This is all part of a daily ritual as mother explains that she has a rare condition and must stay inside at all times - after all she's her precious little doll.
The lies of manipulation that the teenage has been subjected too explains a simple style in the writing.
She's even been led to believe that the start of her period means that she's dying.
The author has cited both Carrie - Stephen King and Room - Emma Donoghue which is obviously clear throughout but somehow that made me care for Mirabelle - being one step ahead of her heightened the danger.
It's the arrival of 5 year old Clarabelle that makes Mirabelle question everything and sets up a pulsating thrill ride that kept me hooked with every twist.
Straight from the outset something doesn't feel quite right as her mother likes to paint her up to be just like a little doll.
This is all part of a daily ritual as mother explains that she has a rare condition and must stay inside at all times - after all she's her precious little doll.
The lies of manipulation that the teenage has been subjected too explains a simple style in the writing.
She's even been led to believe that the start of her period means that she's dying.
The author has cited both Carrie - Stephen King and Room - Emma Donoghue which is obviously clear throughout but somehow that made me care for Mirabelle - being one step ahead of her heightened the danger.
It's the arrival of 5 year old Clarabelle that makes Mirabelle question everything and sets up a pulsating thrill ride that kept me hooked with every twist.
September 19, 2020
This is a perfect late-night thriller read! It will literally give you goosebumps.
The plot was so gripping right from the first page, that I finished it so fast because I couldn’t wait to reach the end. The characters were so well written- Mother was damn creepy, 13-year old Mirabelle was amazingly strong headed and 5-year old Clarabelle was the perfect addition.
The suspense and tension were maintained right till the end. The revelation mid-way of the book was so unexpected. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book and finally heaved a sigh of relief at the end.
An amazing debut book and can’t wait to read more!
The plot was so gripping right from the first page, that I finished it so fast because I couldn’t wait to reach the end. The characters were so well written- Mother was damn creepy, 13-year old Mirabelle was amazingly strong headed and 5-year old Clarabelle was the perfect addition.
The suspense and tension were maintained right till the end. The revelation mid-way of the book was so unexpected. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book and finally heaved a sigh of relief at the end.
An amazing debut book and can’t wait to read more!
October 3, 2024
I was gritting my teeth the whole time I was reading this. The villain got under my skin so badly I wanted to scratch my eyes out. Too morbid? Probably.
Overall, it was an OK book. The latter part felt exaggerated, but I pushed through. Is “Mother” superhuman? She seems to be everywhere.
I rooted for “Polly” from the start. What she went through was a nightmare, and no one should be controlled like that. The ending was touching, proving happily-ever-after might still exist.
Overall, it was an OK book. The latter part felt exaggerated, but I pushed through. Is “Mother” superhuman? She seems to be everywhere.
I rooted for “Polly” from the start. What she went through was a nightmare, and no one should be controlled like that. The ending was touching, proving happily-ever-after might still exist.
March 26, 2021
Mother Loves Me by Abby Davis is just full on creepy and spine tingling whilst being claustrophobic all at once, what makes this book more disturbing is that it has a twisted MOTHER🤰
It's an absolutely fantastic page turner which is going to keep you up until the early hours because you need more.
It's a 5🌟 for me because I've read a few disturbed mother books but this one just has something a little different about it and if I ever hear someone call a child "little Doll" again I think I'm going to struggle with trying to hid my shiver.
I definitely recommend this
It's an absolutely fantastic page turner which is going to keep you up until the early hours because you need more.
It's a 5🌟 for me because I've read a few disturbed mother books but this one just has something a little different about it and if I ever hear someone call a child "little Doll" again I think I'm going to struggle with trying to hid my shiver.
I definitely recommend this
August 7, 2022
Setting: West Country, UK.
The story is entirely narrated by 13-year-old 'Mirabelle' - at the beginning of the book, it is her 13th birthday and, just like every morning, Mother is painting her face just like a 'Little Doll'. Yet it soon becomes clear that Mirabelle never leaves the house and all the windows are boarded up. Despite her plea to be allowed to go outside as a birthday treat being refused, Mother has promised her a 'special treat' for her birthday. When Mother returns with her 'treat', she finds that it is a 5-year-old girl that Mother says is called Clarabelle and that she has rescued her from an abusive father. Mirabelle immediately begins to worry that, now that Mother has a new 'little doll', she won't love her anymore...
This was a disturbing read due to the increasingly-harrowing experiences of Mirabelle, as described by herself. It rapidly becomes apparent to the reader what the actual situation is but even then there are some surprises in store as the story develops. A gripping and enthralling read - 4+* (9+/10).
The story is entirely narrated by 13-year-old 'Mirabelle' - at the beginning of the book, it is her 13th birthday and, just like every morning, Mother is painting her face just like a 'Little Doll'. Yet it soon becomes clear that Mirabelle never leaves the house and all the windows are boarded up. Despite her plea to be allowed to go outside as a birthday treat being refused, Mother has promised her a 'special treat' for her birthday. When Mother returns with her 'treat', she finds that it is a 5-year-old girl that Mother says is called Clarabelle and that she has rescued her from an abusive father. Mirabelle immediately begins to worry that, now that Mother has a new 'little doll', she won't love her anymore...
This was a disturbing read due to the increasingly-harrowing experiences of Mirabelle, as described by herself. It rapidly becomes apparent to the reader what the actual situation is but even then there are some surprises in store as the story develops. A gripping and enthralling read - 4+* (9+/10).
April 5, 2021
Wow!! I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! What an amazing debut novel 👏 This was seriously creepy, disturbing and sooo tense! Each chapter was fast-paced and suspenseful. My heart was beating so fast throughout this and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it 🤯
So many twists and turns made this book a fantastic buddy read 🤩 Our group chat was literally non-stop the past few days 😂 we had the best discussions about this and all 3 of us ended up finishing it a day early as we were dying to know the end! This is the best thriller I’ve read in a while and I certainly won’t be forgetting it anytime soon! I don’t think I’ll be able to see a doll again without thinking of this book 😳 Highly recommend to anyone looking for an unsettling thriller 🤯
So many twists and turns made this book a fantastic buddy read 🤩 Our group chat was literally non-stop the past few days 😂 we had the best discussions about this and all 3 of us ended up finishing it a day early as we were dying to know the end! This is the best thriller I’ve read in a while and I certainly won’t be forgetting it anytime soon! I don’t think I’ll be able to see a doll again without thinking of this book 😳 Highly recommend to anyone looking for an unsettling thriller 🤯
January 20, 2025
Very early on we learn that not only has Mother been painting Mirabelle’s face like a doll, Mirabelle also has a skin allergy that is so fatal she is unable to go outside. Mirabelle longs for the outdoors but knows that making this request will only result in upsetting Mother. And Mirabelle is a good little girl who both loves and lives to please her mother. But on Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a new doll, five-year-old Clarabelle. And Mirabelle is no longer the centre of Mother’s attention.
Mirabelle soon learns that the story Mother has told her about Clarabelle, doesn’t ring true and this leads her to dig into her own past – where she finds out that everything she thought she knew about herself, including the reason she can’t go outside – is a lie. This is where the story literally had my heart pounding with goose-bumps running down my spine. You want Mirabelle to find out the truth, but at the same time you know this will also put her in grave danger. It is clear from the outset that Mother is weird but as the story progresses it also becomes clear just how evil she is too.
Mirabelle soon learns that the story Mother has told her about Clarabelle, doesn’t ring true and this leads her to dig into her own past – where she finds out that everything she thought she knew about herself, including the reason she can’t go outside – is a lie. This is where the story literally had my heart pounding with goose-bumps running down my spine. You want Mirabelle to find out the truth, but at the same time you know this will also put her in grave danger. It is clear from the outset that Mother is weird but as the story progresses it also becomes clear just how evil she is too.
October 8, 2020
The first half of this book was so good...but the ending just fell flat for me. I lost interest after three quarters of the book and only pushed through in the hope it would get better. It didn't.
March 2, 2021
Oh my god.
That was intense, gruesome and so much more than I expected.
290 pages of amazing. Full review to come.
That was intense, gruesome and so much more than I expected.
290 pages of amazing. Full review to come.
April 15, 2021
After an uncertain start on my part, I literally couldn’t put this down.
This is an absolutely chilling read and the further into it I got, the more gripping it became. Mother was a truly disturbed woman and just when you thought her behaviour couldn’t get any worse, it did.
I really liked Mirabelle’s character. She was so brave and you can’t help but root for her throughout.
I always wonder where authors get their ideas from when they write books like this. I’m glad I stuck with it.
This is an absolutely chilling read and the further into it I got, the more gripping it became. Mother was a truly disturbed woman and just when you thought her behaviour couldn’t get any worse, it did.
I really liked Mirabelle’s character. She was so brave and you can’t help but root for her throughout.
I always wonder where authors get their ideas from when they write books like this. I’m glad I stuck with it.
October 23, 2020
This is one of the creepiest books I’ve read in a long time. Very dark and at times quite disturbing, I read quickly as I could as I needed to know how the story ended!
February 7, 2021
This was an absolutely chilling and gripping thriller and I couldn’t put it down as I was desperate to know what happened next. Mother is an extremely disturbed character and the more we go through the book the more her behaviour escalates and the more you realise just how sinister she is. I also adored Mirabelle and was rooting for her to find out the truth and escape. This was packed full of twists and surprises I did not see coming and it takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion. Just when you think things are ok and you can breathe a sigh of relief, think again!!!
This was a fantastic debut from this author and I will be looking out for her next one!
This was a fantastic debut from this author and I will be looking out for her next one!
May 12, 2021
I cannot believe that this is a debut book!
I was hooked from the first page and I stayed up late because I needed to know how it ended! Had a good couple of twists and turns and kept me guessing right to the end.
I would definitely recommend and will be looking for more books from this author in the future!
I was hooked from the first page and I stayed up late because I needed to know how it ended! Had a good couple of twists and turns and kept me guessing right to the end.
I would definitely recommend and will be looking for more books from this author in the future!
November 10, 2020
I absolutely LOVE books with bat-sh*t crazy women and boy oh boy Mother Loves Me has one completely mad, bad and bonkers bat-sh*t crazy character.
Meet MOTHER – every morning she puts her daughter Mirabelle in a pretty frilly dolls dress, covers her face in make-up and turns her from a 13 year old girl to a living doll.
Mirabelle knows that Mother loves her but as she grows up and is no longer the cute little girl Mother starts to lose interest and on her 13th birthday Mother brings home a new sister. 5 year old Clarabelle who Mother has rescued from her bad father – except Clarabelle doesn’t seem too happy about being rescued!
Soon Mirabelle begins to question everything she has been told and starts to look for answers about Mother’s behaviour and whether anything she’s been told is true.
This is one CREEPY and GRIPPING story that I couldn’t put down. If you like psychological thrillers that are dark then you will definitely LOVE this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Meet MOTHER – every morning she puts her daughter Mirabelle in a pretty frilly dolls dress, covers her face in make-up and turns her from a 13 year old girl to a living doll.
Mirabelle knows that Mother loves her but as she grows up and is no longer the cute little girl Mother starts to lose interest and on her 13th birthday Mother brings home a new sister. 5 year old Clarabelle who Mother has rescued from her bad father – except Clarabelle doesn’t seem too happy about being rescued!
Soon Mirabelle begins to question everything she has been told and starts to look for answers about Mother’s behaviour and whether anything she’s been told is true.
This is one CREEPY and GRIPPING story that I couldn’t put down. If you like psychological thrillers that are dark then you will definitely LOVE this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 20, 2021
Dolls are not alive 👧🏼
Mother Loves Me - Abby Davies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a REALLY difficult book to review without giving it all away, I’ve tried to write my thoughts down so many times but here goes (no spoilers)...
This book has such a disturbing plot and one really wicked character, I was left completely breathless throughout and I was just so hungry for more!! I was kept on my toes the whole way through this book, just itching to see what Mirabelle would do next. All whilst constantly comparing her actions to what I would do in her situation.
I’ve heard so much hype about this book that I was worried about picking it up, but boy did it exceed those expectations! I read the first 50 odd pages, then picking it up the next day I just couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting. The plot was so gripping and fast paced, there were moments where I was clinging to my blanket almost closing my eyes to keep out the fright that was building 🙈.
Pick up this book.
And please Abby Davies, I am SHOOK that this is your debut novel as it is written INCREDIBLY well. But I beg you, write some more 🙏🏻
Mother Loves Me - Abby Davies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a REALLY difficult book to review without giving it all away, I’ve tried to write my thoughts down so many times but here goes (no spoilers)...
This book has such a disturbing plot and one really wicked character, I was left completely breathless throughout and I was just so hungry for more!! I was kept on my toes the whole way through this book, just itching to see what Mirabelle would do next. All whilst constantly comparing her actions to what I would do in her situation.
I’ve heard so much hype about this book that I was worried about picking it up, but boy did it exceed those expectations! I read the first 50 odd pages, then picking it up the next day I just couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in one sitting. The plot was so gripping and fast paced, there were moments where I was clinging to my blanket almost closing my eyes to keep out the fright that was building 🙈.
Pick up this book.
And please Abby Davies, I am SHOOK that this is your debut novel as it is written INCREDIBLY well. But I beg you, write some more 🙏🏻
January 11, 2021
I still don’t really know how to put into words how much I enjoyed this book! I feel like this was my face constantly throughout the whole book > 😧 This is one of the best thrillers I have ever read, the unsettling feeling that the book constantly gives you makes you feel so on edge, and I liked that you didn’t know what was going on straight away.
I genuinely felt worried and scared for Mirabelle numerous times throughout the book and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen the author switches it up again! Some of the scenes make you feel really uncomfortable (which I love 😂) and you never know who can be trusted!
Abby has created such a good character with “Mother” as I sometimes despised the woman but also felt sorry for her at the same time, as she clearly has serious mental health issues! I would never believe this was a debut book for the author as it is fantastically written, with short chapters but packed with LOADS of suspense and creepiness.
I would 100% recommend this book!!
I genuinely felt worried and scared for Mirabelle numerous times throughout the book and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen the author switches it up again! Some of the scenes make you feel really uncomfortable (which I love 😂) and you never know who can be trusted!
Abby has created such a good character with “Mother” as I sometimes despised the woman but also felt sorry for her at the same time, as she clearly has serious mental health issues! I would never believe this was a debut book for the author as it is fantastically written, with short chapters but packed with LOADS of suspense and creepiness.
I would 100% recommend this book!!
September 12, 2020
' 𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 - 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐠. ' - my favourite quote from the book 😂👌
𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓. 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. 𝑶𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 13𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 - 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒔 5 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕.. 𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓...
Wow what an amazing book! Wouldn't think this was a debut at all! Written so well and I absolutely loved the storyline. It hooked me and I literally couldn't stop reading!
I loved Mirabelle and so many times my heart hurt for her, but she's so strong and her character really shone. It's hard to talk about my thoughts without saying what happens or revealing any spoilers. It was a dark read and there was alot going on.
It was one of my favourite thrillers I've read for a while - mainly because it was so different from the ones I've read. I absolutely loved the ending too!
Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this ARC 😊
𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓. 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. 𝑶𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 13𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 - 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒂𝒔 5 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕.. 𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓...
Wow what an amazing book! Wouldn't think this was a debut at all! Written so well and I absolutely loved the storyline. It hooked me and I literally couldn't stop reading!
I loved Mirabelle and so many times my heart hurt for her, but she's so strong and her character really shone. It's hard to talk about my thoughts without saying what happens or revealing any spoilers. It was a dark read and there was alot going on.
It was one of my favourite thrillers I've read for a while - mainly because it was so different from the ones I've read. I absolutely loved the ending too!
Thank you to @netgalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this ARC 😊
October 4, 2021
There are genuinely not compelling enough words to help you understand how phenomenal this thriller is. As someone who spends the majority of her time reading thrillers, I can without a doubt say this is one of the best thrillers I have ever read, never mind a debut!
Mother Loves Me will take you on a emotional rollercoaster, you'll truly never feel safe and constantly be questioning what's coming next. My heart was racing throughout, I couldn't stop until I was at the end!
If you're looking for a creepy, captivating, chilling and disturbing thriller - please don't miss out on grabbing yourself a copy of Mother Loves Me, you honestly won't regret it… or be able to get it out of your mind.
I've already pre-ordered Abby Davies' next thriller 'The Cult' out later this month, I cannot wait and have no doubt it will be as expectational as the first!
Need to get yourself a copy? Available on: Book Ban Store, Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith
Mother Loves Me will take you on a emotional rollercoaster, you'll truly never feel safe and constantly be questioning what's coming next. My heart was racing throughout, I couldn't stop until I was at the end!
If you're looking for a creepy, captivating, chilling and disturbing thriller - please don't miss out on grabbing yourself a copy of Mother Loves Me, you honestly won't regret it… or be able to get it out of your mind.
I've already pre-ordered Abby Davies' next thriller 'The Cult' out later this month, I cannot wait and have no doubt it will be as expectational as the first!
Need to get yourself a copy? Available on: Book Ban Store, Amazon, Waterstones and WHSmith
January 3, 2021
Review - Mother Loves Me - Abby Davies (5/5*)
""I see things. Lights. Lights in the corner. Then blackness. Nothing else. Just a tunnel. Are you really here?"
Blurb:
One little girl. Mirabelle’s mother loves her. She’s her ‘little doll’. Mother dresses her, paints her face, and plaits her hair. But as Mirabelle grows, the dresses no longer fit quite as well, the face paint no longer looks quite so pretty. And Mother isn’t happy.
Two little girls. On Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a present – a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle, who Mother has rescued from the outside world.
But Mother only needs one. As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she also realizes that her life isn’t what she thought it was. And that dolls often end up on the scrap heap…
My opinion:
I wanted to write the blurb in my own words, as I prefer so, but unfortunately it was too dangerous - each word said in a wrong way and I could have spoiled it. So, I am leaving you with the publisher's one. I must admit that was not an easy read - I was so frustrated, nervous, queasy, damaged all my nails and so on... However, all mentioned are for me inevitable elements that should accompany reading a thriller, horror or crime. This novel was short but studded with emotions, action, lacking any useless descriptions, everything was soooooo great, that I cannot put it all in here. Abuse, psychopathy, captivity - does Mother really love her so ?
I just hope it will be published in Polish soon, so that my friends could read it as well.
""I see things. Lights. Lights in the corner. Then blackness. Nothing else. Just a tunnel. Are you really here?"
Blurb:
One little girl. Mirabelle’s mother loves her. She’s her ‘little doll’. Mother dresses her, paints her face, and plaits her hair. But as Mirabelle grows, the dresses no longer fit quite as well, the face paint no longer looks quite so pretty. And Mother isn’t happy.
Two little girls. On Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a present – a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle, who Mother has rescued from the outside world.
But Mother only needs one. As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she also realizes that her life isn’t what she thought it was. And that dolls often end up on the scrap heap…
My opinion:
I wanted to write the blurb in my own words, as I prefer so, but unfortunately it was too dangerous - each word said in a wrong way and I could have spoiled it. So, I am leaving you with the publisher's one. I must admit that was not an easy read - I was so frustrated, nervous, queasy, damaged all my nails and so on... However, all mentioned are for me inevitable elements that should accompany reading a thriller, horror or crime. This novel was short but studded with emotions, action, lacking any useless descriptions, everything was soooooo great, that I cannot put it all in here. Abuse, psychopathy, captivity - does Mother really love her so ?
I just hope it will be published in Polish soon, so that my friends could read it as well.
March 30, 2022
Mother Loves Me is creepy, claustrophobic, and damn cruel!
Poor Mirabelle just doesn't catch a break. She's recently come of age and begins to wonder if the things Mother does and says actually make sense... the way she dresses her in doll like clothes, her reasons for not letting her outside, and most bizarrely, the morning routine of painting her face.
The last straw comes when a new little Doll arrives in the cottage.... has mirabelle been replaced? What exactly is Mother up to? Mother Loves her doesn't she?
Poor Mirabelle just doesn't catch a break. She's recently come of age and begins to wonder if the things Mother does and says actually make sense... the way she dresses her in doll like clothes, her reasons for not letting her outside, and most bizarrely, the morning routine of painting her face.
The last straw comes when a new little Doll arrives in the cottage.... has mirabelle been replaced? What exactly is Mother up to? Mother Loves her doesn't she?
March 30, 2021
"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path" - Agatha Christie
This read was chilling, creepy & very disturbing. It was also thought provoking, when you think that people like this actually live among us & think there's nothing wrong with what they are doing. A fast paced, gripping psychological thriller, this was a fantastic debut novel from Abby & I'll definitely be looking to purchase more of her publications on release.
Welcome to the the world of 'Mother' & her two little dolls, whom she dresses, paints their faces & plaits their hair. But what happens when they reach a certain age? 😱
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This read was chilling, creepy & very disturbing. It was also thought provoking, when you think that people like this actually live among us & think there's nothing wrong with what they are doing. A fast paced, gripping psychological thriller, this was a fantastic debut novel from Abby & I'll definitely be looking to purchase more of her publications on release.
Welcome to the the world of 'Mother' & her two little dolls, whom she dresses, paints their faces & plaits their hair. But what happens when they reach a certain age? 😱
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
December 15, 2020
MOTHER LOVES ME
This was an incredibly twisted and uncomfortable read. I felt my stomach twisting as I read on. The narrative parallels in my opinion many true accounts of abduction and abuse and that is probably why I found it so uncomfortable to read – but gosh was it good. Debut you say? Bravo.
I love reading/watching/listening to true crime books and podcasts and if I am honest that was one of the main reasons why I wanted to read this one so urgently – initially. This book has a way of really drawing the reader into its web of suspense and psychological games and I have to say the ending was brilliantly executed and satisfying. I needed a good ending for my big soft mama heart.
Unlike many other thrillers we are offered the premise at the start of the book.
𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓. 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 older, her body starts to change 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. She is just a ‘doll’ and o𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 13𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 - 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, another little girl. But Mother only needs one.
As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she realizes that her life isn’t what she thought it was.
The stage is set, and the curtain has risen, we are offered the guilty at the start but for duration of the book we search for the ‘why’ and it isn’t easily offered to us. It’s like Abbie purposefully puts you in a hedge maze and only reading on will navigate you towards the truth. Not very easy to achieve that level of suspense especially in such a popular genre but it was brilliantly executed.
I like books that keep the reader guessing and just when you think you are comfortable; they drop a bombshell, and you have to retract your entire course of thinking. The slow drip feed technique that Abbie has favoured to keep her readers worked well here. There is always this fear with thriller/phycological books that they start of strong, but the ending is weak however, this was not the case with Mother Loves Me. It was spaced out evenly.
If you are a fan of psychological thrillers and want to read something that will grasp your attention, then this is the book for you. Great debut
This was an incredibly twisted and uncomfortable read. I felt my stomach twisting as I read on. The narrative parallels in my opinion many true accounts of abduction and abuse and that is probably why I found it so uncomfortable to read – but gosh was it good. Debut you say? Bravo.
I love reading/watching/listening to true crime books and podcasts and if I am honest that was one of the main reasons why I wanted to read this one so urgently – initially. This book has a way of really drawing the reader into its web of suspense and psychological games and I have to say the ending was brilliantly executed and satisfying. I needed a good ending for my big soft mama heart.
Unlike many other thrillers we are offered the premise at the start of the book.
𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆, 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓. 𝑴𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 older, her body starts to change 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍. She is just a ‘doll’ and o𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 13𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝑴𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 - 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, another little girl. But Mother only needs one.
As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she realizes that her life isn’t what she thought it was.
The stage is set, and the curtain has risen, we are offered the guilty at the start but for duration of the book we search for the ‘why’ and it isn’t easily offered to us. It’s like Abbie purposefully puts you in a hedge maze and only reading on will navigate you towards the truth. Not very easy to achieve that level of suspense especially in such a popular genre but it was brilliantly executed.
I like books that keep the reader guessing and just when you think you are comfortable; they drop a bombshell, and you have to retract your entire course of thinking. The slow drip feed technique that Abbie has favoured to keep her readers worked well here. There is always this fear with thriller/phycological books that they start of strong, but the ending is weak however, this was not the case with Mother Loves Me. It was spaced out evenly.
If you are a fan of psychological thrillers and want to read something that will grasp your attention, then this is the book for you. Great debut
February 19, 2021
Title - Mother Loves Me
Author - Abby Davies
Genre - Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Age - Adults
Published - September 2020
Summary - The books main character is a young girl called Mariabelle and her mother. The book starts with Mariabelle's mother doing Mariabelle's hair and makeup calling her 'little doll'
On the day of Mariabelle's 13th birthday, Mariabelle begins to think things are not what they seem. Having never seen the outside world she asks her mother if as it's her birthday she could go out into the garden and have a look at the world outside. Her mother responds by getting angry and saying no, telling Mariabelle how dangerous the outside world is. She then tells her she has to go out as she has a special surprise for Mariabelle's 13th birthday.
The mother returns home with Mariabelle's 'present' a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle who mother explains she has just rescued from the outside world.
The problem is Clarabella says her name isn't Clarabella and when Mariabelle questions her about her previous family after mother told her how abusive they were to Clarabella, this is not the story Clarabella tells.
Mariabella begins to wonder if she is being replaced, if now she is too old and her mother needs a new 'doll' but if so what happens to the 'old doll?' Mariabella begins to dig into mothers life, but she may not like what she finds.
What I thought about this book - This book started off really well, It often had me thinking of a film I saw as a child called 'The Others' the children's mother in that film told her children they too were allergic to daylight so I began to wonder if this book would end the same was the film did (I won't say how as I don't want to spoil it if you've not watched it) This book did not end the same way the film did, unfortunately, I think I may have enjoyed it more if it did.
This book really dragged on and seemed repetitive in areas. I felt like the same thing kept happening. Mother lies to the child, the child discovers truth and rebels, the children run away, the mother finds the children rinse and repeat.
To be honest, by the last few chapters I must admit I had lost interest and I can't say I was paying 100% attention towards the end.
Would I Recommend - Maybe
Would I Read Again - No
Rating - 3*
Reviewed by LucyLui
Author - Abby Davies
Genre - Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Age - Adults
Published - September 2020
Summary - The books main character is a young girl called Mariabelle and her mother. The book starts with Mariabelle's mother doing Mariabelle's hair and makeup calling her 'little doll'
On the day of Mariabelle's 13th birthday, Mariabelle begins to think things are not what they seem. Having never seen the outside world she asks her mother if as it's her birthday she could go out into the garden and have a look at the world outside. Her mother responds by getting angry and saying no, telling Mariabelle how dangerous the outside world is. She then tells her she has to go out as she has a special surprise for Mariabelle's 13th birthday.
The mother returns home with Mariabelle's 'present' a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle who mother explains she has just rescued from the outside world.
The problem is Clarabella says her name isn't Clarabella and when Mariabelle questions her about her previous family after mother told her how abusive they were to Clarabella, this is not the story Clarabella tells.
Mariabella begins to wonder if she is being replaced, if now she is too old and her mother needs a new 'doll' but if so what happens to the 'old doll?' Mariabella begins to dig into mothers life, but she may not like what she finds.
What I thought about this book - This book started off really well, It often had me thinking of a film I saw as a child called 'The Others' the children's mother in that film told her children they too were allergic to daylight so I began to wonder if this book would end the same was the film did (I won't say how as I don't want to spoil it if you've not watched it) This book did not end the same way the film did, unfortunately, I think I may have enjoyed it more if it did.
This book really dragged on and seemed repetitive in areas. I felt like the same thing kept happening. Mother lies to the child, the child discovers truth and rebels, the children run away, the mother finds the children rinse and repeat.
To be honest, by the last few chapters I must admit I had lost interest and I can't say I was paying 100% attention towards the end.
Would I Recommend - Maybe
Would I Read Again - No
Rating - 3*
Reviewed by LucyLui
September 14, 2020
I read this in a day. And, that wasn't quick enough for me. I damned myself that I didn't have super human skills to read quickly. Why? Because, this book is so amazing, and it's so creepy and weird that you have to know there and then what will happen next.
This is a debut novel people!! And, it's bloody amazing!
When we start the story I was getting really claustrophobic vibes. Mirabelle has never seen the outside, her mother has told her if she goes outside she will die!
Mirabelle's mother dresses her up as a doll, makes up her face every day. Mirabelle thinks this is normal, because she knows no different. Until, mother brings home Clarabelle. And, that's when everything gets even more dodgy and weird and creepy.
Abby Davies has well and truly knocked it out of the park with this story. She has thrown everything and more at this creepy story. There's the whole 'wtf is going on' vibe. Then, there's the 'omg get out now' vibe. Followed swiftly by a 'oh my word, when will the suffering end' vibe. And, just when you think it's going to slow down and come to a conclusion, there's more much more.
Mother Loves Me. Mother will creep you out!!!!
💫 Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for my gifted digital copy 💫
This is a debut novel people!! And, it's bloody amazing!
When we start the story I was getting really claustrophobic vibes. Mirabelle has never seen the outside, her mother has told her if she goes outside she will die!
Mirabelle's mother dresses her up as a doll, makes up her face every day. Mirabelle thinks this is normal, because she knows no different. Until, mother brings home Clarabelle. And, that's when everything gets even more dodgy and weird and creepy.
Abby Davies has well and truly knocked it out of the park with this story. She has thrown everything and more at this creepy story. There's the whole 'wtf is going on' vibe. Then, there's the 'omg get out now' vibe. Followed swiftly by a 'oh my word, when will the suffering end' vibe. And, just when you think it's going to slow down and come to a conclusion, there's more much more.
Mother Loves Me. Mother will creep you out!!!!
💫 Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for my gifted digital copy 💫
June 29, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the arc of Mother Loves me by Abby Davies.
This is fantastic and brillaint debut psychological thriller by Abby Davies in which has all the elements of a thriller book in which I love. There are Great character profiles, written so well And it is so chilling creepy, spine tingling....
This follows Mirabelle's mother who calls Mirabelle her little dolls as she dresses her up she does her hair even paints her young face... Mirabelle grows up and becomes older in which everything her mother did to her no long fits or looks right which makes her severely mad!...
Mirabelle ends up turning 13, her mother comes back with a surprise in which is a 5 year old sister for Mirabelle in which her mum had rescued... but obviously her mother only needs what she calls one doll so Mirabelle isnt the one getting all the attention her new sister is...
This is such a gripping and chillning Novel you feel so sorry for Mirabelle and when her new sister becomes into the picture and she is abandoned.. you really feel for her..
Definitely recommend
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is fantastic and brillaint debut psychological thriller by Abby Davies in which has all the elements of a thriller book in which I love. There are Great character profiles, written so well And it is so chilling creepy, spine tingling....
This follows Mirabelle's mother who calls Mirabelle her little dolls as she dresses her up she does her hair even paints her young face... Mirabelle grows up and becomes older in which everything her mother did to her no long fits or looks right which makes her severely mad!...
Mirabelle ends up turning 13, her mother comes back with a surprise in which is a 5 year old sister for Mirabelle in which her mum had rescued... but obviously her mother only needs what she calls one doll so Mirabelle isnt the one getting all the attention her new sister is...
This is such a gripping and chillning Novel you feel so sorry for Mirabelle and when her new sister becomes into the picture and she is abandoned.. you really feel for her..
Definitely recommend
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 25, 2021
I have read some amazing books over the last year, but this one is definitely right up there as one of my favourites!
Such an intense, psychological thriller that I honestly could not put down, and if it wasn't for the fact I have 2 small children, I would have read in one go.
Very fast paced, with a main character that you can't help be drawn to, and you feel her pain, fear, and triumphs throughout.
Fantastic book that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes these sorts of books.
Without a doubt , 5 stars for me
Such an intense, psychological thriller that I honestly could not put down, and if it wasn't for the fact I have 2 small children, I would have read in one go.
Very fast paced, with a main character that you can't help be drawn to, and you feel her pain, fear, and triumphs throughout.
Fantastic book that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes these sorts of books.
Without a doubt , 5 stars for me
February 6, 2022
Every parents nightmare told through the eyes of the child. This is a very dark book, fast paced and chilling. Mother is such a twisted character. If you’re looking for your next psychological thriller and if you love a creepy book full of suspense, then I highly recommend this one.
March 10, 2021
Really enjoy this but I was disappointed with ending x
Displaying 1 - 30 of 490 reviews