As a person who grew up in a violent house, this book was a tough one for me to read. Lina lives in a world where her life is pretty to the people outside her family. Inside her home, she is in a terrible abusive marriage. Everyone suffers in an abusive marriage, the wife and the children. This book shows what happens in abusive marriage. Lina is a strong woman and needs to learn her own strength for herself and her kids. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

This was a well written story about the effect that spousal abuse inflicts on everyone involved. Verbal, emotional abuse, generally will evolve into physical abuse, and destroys families and relationships.
David is a successful businessman, who has provided his family with the big house, expensive cars, good schools, while making Lina and her children’s lives a nightmare. He isolates her from her friends, doesn’t allow her to work, while controlling ever aspect of her life, criticizing everything she does, how she looks, while reminding her what he provides for his family.
This is a must read! Great storyline, wonderful characters, and extremely emotional. My thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Robyn Lucas for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book really pulled at my heart. I really loved how the author wrote this. I don't see how anyone could not feel for this storyline. Absolutely loved it.

Robyn is a masterful storyteller with magnificent character development. I loved how this story developed even if I wanted to shake Lina in the beginning. However, I know this is an accurate depiction of how many abusive relationships are. This is an important story to tell especially right now, people need to be able to see their story and see that there is a way to get help.

I highly recommend picking this one up!

Immaculate! I absolutely adore this new voice. Robyn Lucas is a force. I am so grateful that she wrote about this subject, because it's something we don't talk enough about. Thank you, Robyn, for honoring women everywhere.

This book….no review will ever do it justice. Every single day people live in abusive relationships. Every day the system fails them. The lucky people? They have friends like Nancy and Ashish who fight for them, and help them.

I loved the kids, Mimi and Danny. The funniest line was “My food baby is back.” I was laughing so hard.

The kids also suffer from the effects of domestic abuse. They are often used as pawns by the abuser. This book shed so much light on gaslighting and what it truly is.

Lina….what a strong woman. She fought and fought for not only herself but her kids. Always putting them first and making sure they would be okay.

This book was very heavy, but so well written and emotional. Incredible book.

A phenomenal novel. I love the message that Robyn portrays in Paperdolls. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy

A vivid glance at the world of a domestic abuse victim.

Lina Henry's perfect life is nothing but an illusion. While suffocating with her two children under the authority of her manipulative husband who is growing wilder with time, she develops an unexpected friendship with a renowned actor and finds her best friend re-entering her life. With their unconditional support and an ardent desire to regain her former, strong self, she must fight a battle to break free from the clutches of the abuser.

The brilliance of the author has been reflected on her book. The story is not meant to be read; it is meant to be felt. It lets the reader see through Lina's eyes, it lets Lina's tears roll down the reader's cheeks, it lets Lina's heart beat in the reader's chest.

One of the best things about the work is the beautiful portrayal of the relationship between the siblings and their mother, and how the bond kept growing stronger as they gradually realized what they were being subjected to. Words would never be enough to describe Lina’s love for her children. Lina was born strong and motherhood made her stronger.

The book comes with an essential reminder that abuse exists in more than one form. Be it physical, mental, or emotional, abuse can annihilate the inner world of a victim.

I would recommend this book to everyone irrespective of gender.

Thank you to Books Forward PR and Netgalley for this copy.

This book is necessary. I wish it wasn't, but it is. Robyn Lucas writes a shockingly accurate story about the hidden crime of emotional abuse.

Lina can't put her finger on what's wrong with her relationship. She wants David to be happy with her, but she just seems to mess things up. Over and over again David tears her down with his words. Soon, Lina feels like nothing more than a paper doll that can barely hold herself together. What will be the breaking point? It's never what you'd expect, and it doesn't always produce results. TW there are instances of everything on the power and control wheel.

It's scary what has been normalized in marriages. If you feel like something is "off" with your relationship, please read this book.

I also really appreciated the outside perspectives as well as those in the family unit. The abusers reach is staggering.