I loved She’s a Doll by Barbara Truelove so much that I ended up reading it in a single sitting. The writing is sharp and confident, balancing vengeance, paranormal horror, grief, and even moments of humor exactly where they’re needed.

The premise alone is fantastic: how do you get revenge on the person who murdered you when you’re trapped inside the body of a porcelain doll? It’s eerie, creative, and surprisingly emotional. Truelove uses the concept not just for horror, but to explore anger, injustice, and the lingering weight of being silenced.

The tone shifts effortlessly between unsettling and darkly funny, which keeps the story engaging while still letting the heavier moments land. I also really appreciated the LGBTQIA+ representation which felt natural and fully integrated into the characters rather than just an afterthought.

And of course, I will always love a good feminine rage story. This one delivers it in a way that feels cathartic, eerie, and deeply satisfying. Dark, clever, and wildly original.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bindery Books, and Barbara Truelove for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I couldn't put this down! She's a Doll is a brilliant, refreshing read that hooked me from the very first page. Barbara Truelove has a wonderful way with words, creating a story that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. A well-deserved five stars!

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.

Rating 4.5 Stars (though I might bump it up to a 5 after a reread)

This was nothing what I expected, but I loved it for everything it was.

When Lucy is inconveniently offed by a guy named Kyle, she doesn't seek peace but brutal justice. Stuck in the body of a porcelain doll, she enlists the help of local weird girl, Nicola, to enact her revenge. However, Nicola's form of justice is very different from Lucy's brand. Still being dead & stuck inside a doll, she is willing to be open to ideas, and hey, if Nicola's plan should fail, well there is always Plan A - offing Kyle in quite a graphic manner.

This was such a treat. Yes, it's about a haunted doll who wants revenge & murder, but it also touched on trauma, healing at one's own pace, feminine rage & the delicacy of female friendships. One of my favourite parts was seeing Lucy adapt to her new status quo. The movies clearly lied to her about how easy it is to navigate a doll's body as a ghost. I enjoyed watching both Lucy & Nicola come to terms with their past with each other's help. I also found Lucy, although a liar, a fun protagonist to read from. She made mistakes & was too stubborn at times. Lord knows how Nicola deserved better treatment, but in the end you still couldn't help but root for Lucy.

Truly a unique take on the Haunted Doll motif.

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e arc in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this and finished it in one day! I'd call this a horror with comedy aspects, and what is now more popular of a term "pink horror" a big focus is female rage and how women are treated not only by society and men but also by other women who are supposed to be looking out for each other. The haunted doll aspect was done really well, and was unlike any other horror/possession book I've read. I loved all the main characters, and found the ending to be very satisfying!!!

This was yet another enjoyable read from Barbara Truelove! I don't think that it dethroned Monsters And Mainframes as my favorite, but I do think that She's a Doll is a cathartic read. There are some definite issues with pacing (that's a given when the narrative as a whole can be summed up very briefly, and there are minimal aspects that are really unexpected about it). It really shines in that last quarter and I had it read in a day and a half which is high praise from me!

There wasn't enough horror in the genre sense to lump it together with others; it felt more literary fiction above all else. I was never scared, but I did care a great deal about Lucy and Nicola. If just the image of a haunted doll is scary, then maybe it'll unnerve some readers but I'm immune to the fear of dolls.

A cover that shows the brighter side to murder and all things haunting with a Mean Girls style twist. I fell in love with this narrative from the dialogue to plot points. The exchange between a dead girl in a doll’s body with the weird girl felt authentic and grueling. There are moments you are hoping you will finally get a flash back to her waking up from a bad dream. The type of tale that hits you with the eerie center to your core and you will be thinking about it for days.
Of course it was a man who robbed her of her life. To make matters worse her consciousness is stuck in a doll. So, what should revenge look like exactly? That is what our protagonist will ponder and plot as they form an unlikely relationship. A great metaphor for what it means to exist In queerness and never feeling free enough to explore yourself as you. Do our bodies die and trap our consciousness?
The bloody details are gnarly yet sensible. The quippy remarks will have you laughing out loud while you go through each segment. Are there rules to being a ghost or do you just make it up as a you go? A bittersweet horror that makes you question the men around you and the whimsy they seek to take from you. Thank you Barbara Truelove, Bindery Books, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, visit my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com

🧍‍♀️REVIEW: 5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨🧍‍♀️

💘She’s a Doll by Barbara Truelove💘

💝synopsis: 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.

💝 my opinion: I love the concept of a “possessed doll seeking revenge.” I think it’s very sweet but crazy to read, and yes, She’s a Doll exceeded my expectations!!

Lucy McQuinn is a weirdo. She doesn’t fit in with the typical cool girl groups, so one afternoon she decides to stay home and do nothing (which seems like a good plan to me, actually). Everything was going relatively well until Kyle, her best friend’s twin, kills her (this isn’t a spoiler!!). So Lucy becomes a ghost who possesses the body of a broken porcelain doll in a thrift store, and no one wants to buy her because, okay, she’s very damaged. 🫢

It takes quite a while before she meets Nicola, an acquaintance from when she was alive who will help her get revenge, but how do you get revenge, how do you vent that contained rage if you’re in the body of a doll and you’re falling apart? Luckily, there are ways 💁‍♀️💋💞

I loved the female rage, the revenge, the friendship that forms between Lucy and Nicola, and the huge reference to Toy Story lol. Can you imagine a doll with an eye patch, full of modifications and articulations that aren’t hers, riding in a toy car to figure out how to kill her murderer? 🙂‍↔️

💋Highly recommended if you:

- Love female rage.
- Love possessed dolls.

💌 Thanks to @bindery_books for sending me a copy <33

This one was so fun! I was hooked by page one and was pleasantly surprised with the story. This was the first book in ages I even finished within 24 hours.

It did read a little more YA than I’m used to (I’m not sure if it is considered YA or not) but even with that element, I still loved everything about this book and have no notes. I can’t wait to add this one to my shelf once it comes out!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

I went through so many emotions reading this. Lucy's death was so tragic, her life was ripped away from her when she was so young, and I was filled with so much anger and frustration on her behalf. But then there were hilarious moments between Lucy and Nicola, and their genuine bonding was so sweet to see. And I felt so vindicated when Lucy killed Kyle.

The format of this book was so cool. I really liked it being split into four parts, or acts, as we see Lucy go through different emotional states and different battles in her quest for vegence. The narrative voice was so good; I was instantly endeared to Lucy as a loveable weirdo. Her dialogue was hilarious and I loved how every single aspect of her personality shone through. The second she turned up to a tea pary dressed as the Mad Hatter I knew I would love her. And when she corrected Nichola about Dracula. I also really loved that, at first, Lucy was so consumed by her own anger and desire for revenge that she couldn't tell that Nicola had been hurt to - it was a real poignant moment for Lucy's character and a definite turning point for her. Lucy's desire for vengence softened a bit - and she wanted to see justice be served.

I also really liked that Lucy finally realised that she had romantic feelings for Ginger. That also felt like a turning point for her because she reflected back on her behaviour and actions and realised that she wasn't acting rationally. A lot of the time the things she did were out of jealousy and anger, but she hid those feelings from herself.

The ending was so fantastic. I really liked that Lucy got her revenge and killed Kyle but that there was a bit of a hollow feeling to it. A sense of well, what now? After she'd been dedicated to doing it for years. Ginger and Nicola finding her body was so bittersweet; I was happy that Lucy would finally get justice but it felt very final. Lucy was dead and she wasn't coming back. But she got to tell her own story and decide her own ending and that sense of autonomy was so satisfyin to read after what she'd went through.

In a fantastic read, a couple of things really stood out to me. First, I really liked that when Lucy saw Kyle again, he was so normal looking. She had built him up to be his horrific monster in her head, which he was, but struggled to rectify that on the outside he looked like everyone else. Secondly, I loved that Lucy wasn't ready to move on at the end. Her life was cut so short and she deserves to have that time in whatever way she can. It really wasn't fair how people around Lucy treated her when she was alive, but now she gets to be a weird little spider creature living with two people who truly care about her.

Lucy is murdered by Kyle and she’s determined to get revenge. It starts off slow but of course things take a turn when her soul ends up inside a porcelain bride doll and she’s completely a newbie at that.

She seeks help with human Nicola through her hearing aids and their friendship starts to develop and the plot start to ramp up.

This story had me laughing, angry and genuinely upset by the end. I didn’t want it to be over! It’s also LGBTQIAP+ friendly and I really appreciated the inclusion of the Ace community.

I enjoyed this book, especially the friendship built between Lucy and Nicola. I feel like the author handled really tough topics well and was able to give them the proper weight without making the reader read the explicit events. I look forward to more books by this author, I also liked Of Monsters and Mainframes!

thank you netgalley, Barbara Truelove, and Bindery Books/Ezeekat Press for allowing me to review this book early!

this was my first book by this author and let me tell you, it won't be the last! she's a doll was heartbreaking, funny, beautiful, and satisfying all in one! i literally binged this book in a day it was just that good and had me hooked from page 1!

i adored lu and nic's relationship! how they managed to work together and form this weird but powerful friendship after the messed up things that happened to them was beautiful to see unfold page after page! this book had me laughing and quite a few times made me want to cry! i'm gonna miss these characters but i can definitely see myself rereading this book multiple times in the future! thank you again for allowing me to review this book and i can't wait to own a physical copy and read more from this author!

She's a Doll is a fun, weird, unique take on a female rage and revenge tale. I feel bad saying there is a surprising amount of emotional depth, and character development, but I do think haunted doll media, at least what I've seen, tends to lean a bit more silly. There is such a brilliant balance of complex, developing characters and vivid comical imagery. She's a Doll examines how complicated friendships, intimate relationships, and familial relationships are, and the impact they can have on our loyalty and willingness to accept the truth.

I'll have to check out more Barbara Truelove!

3.25 rounded up for Netgalley

This was a weird book, in a fun and entertaining way.

I do want to preface this by saying that I don't usually read about female rage or books like this. I also never read a book from this author before.

I kind of went into this expecting a more traditional horror book. That might partly be on me, but I do think the blurb reads a little less quirky than the actual book ended up being. The book instead is more focused on revenge, girls who refuse to stay quiet and a friendship building. It has a bunch of sarcastic, chaotic, funny moments and dark humor sprinkled throughout. There are a lot of pop culture references. At times the writing felt a bit YA in tone, which personally isn’t my preferred style.

That said, once I understood what kind of story this was trying to tell, it made more sense. This isn’t a scary horror novel, but more of a quirky revenge story with female rage themes at its core. I did have to adjust my expectations a little, but once I did I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

The idea of exploring feminine rage through a possessed doll? Genius. I love the revenge plot, it was done in such a unique way which initially I was skeptical of because I was worried it may come off as corny, but I loved it.

But honestly what I loved even more was the friendship between Lucy and Nicola. This was a solid 4-star read!

As soon as I saw that Barbara Truelove was writing another book, I ran to NetGalley to request. I absolutely adored "Of Monsters and Mainframes", and I had full faith in her to write another banger. And I was right, she absolutely did not disappoint. If you’re looking for the same level of humor/wacky plot that "OMaM" had, then this will not be the book for you. The tone is completely different, and while there is some humor, it’s mainly a bloody, dark, rage fueled revenge story. It made me sick to my stomach, and so angry and sad that I had to put it down at times. But that is the point, and the feelings are all cathartic and well rewarded by that amazing ending.
As always, I have trouble writing reviews when I have nothing at all to complain about lol. But I will say that I loved the raw messiness of the characters. They all felt so flawed and real, and the relationships were all heartwarming. The commentary this book offers is both timely and necessary, and the revenge is quite satisfying. The horror aspects were also pretty effective, and I liked the way the plot unfolded. I highly recommend all of Barbara Truelove’s work to anybody with a pulse, and I’m so excited to see what she writes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Ezeekat Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“She’s a Doll” by Barbara Truelove ended up being very different from what I expected—in a good way. Going in, I thought it would mostly be a creepy haunted-doll revenge story, but it’s actually a lot deeper and more emotional than that.

The story starts off pretty heavy. Lucy is murdered by a guy named Kyle who refuses to take no for an answer, and her spirit ends up trapped inside a porcelain doll. From there, she has to figure out how to exist in this new body, which turns out to be way harder than movies make it look. She can’t talk, can barely move at first, and it takes weeks just to learn how to control the doll’s body. Watching her slowly figure it out is honestly a little unsettling but also really interesting.

Lucy is very focused on revenge at first. She wants Kyle dead, no question. But things get complicated when she meets Nicola, the only person who can actually communicate with her. Nicola quickly becomes Lucy’s voice of reason and convinces her that straight-up murder probably isn’t the best plan. Instead, they decide to psychologically haunt Kyle until he breaks down and confesses. The friendship between Lucy and Nicola was honestly my favorite part of the book. They start out as complete strangers but slowly become each other’s lifelines, and their bond feels really genuine.

Even though the premise sounds like pure horror, the book balances a lot of different tones. There are creepy moments, but there’s also dark humor, emotional scenes, and a lot of exploration of trauma, grief, and feminine rage. The story also touches on how women are treated and not believed, which makes Lucy’s anger feel very real and justified. It’s definitely more of an emotional revenge story than a straight-up horror novel.

One thing I didn’t expect was how much the book focuses on healing and friendship. Lucy can be stubborn and makes some questionable decisions, but you still end up rooting for her. And Nicola is such a great character; she honestly deserves the world.

The revenge itself isn’t super gory or over-the-top like I originally imagined, but the final confrontation with Kyle is really satisfying. By the end, Lucy finally gets some control back over her life (and afterlife), and the story wraps up her unfinished business in a way that feels emotional but also hopeful.

Overall, “She’s a Doll” is dark, weird, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt. If you like haunted doll stories, female rage narratives, or horror that mixes creepy moments with humor and real emotional depth, this one is definitely worth picking up.

I ended up dnf'ing so keeping my rating to a 4 to be fair. When reading the description I missed the "gleeful", I was expecting a darker, more horror like read similar to Rachel Harrison, but this was a lot lighter with a more comedic tone rather than horror. (I was thinking pink horror with the cover) Absolutely fine, just not for me and I stopped around 35%.

I’d already read and loved Of Monsters and Mainframes, so getting to read Barbara Truelove’s next venture into horror was a delight.

I read She’s a Doll in a day, because it’s completely unputdownable. Lucy’s revenge story takes you on a journey through grief and rage and vengeance and love, with as many funny one-liners as there are moments of heartbreak and loss. Particular shoutout to the AO3 mentions and the “she smelled of…” line that made me belly laugh.

She’s a Doll is a wildly original and darkly funny horror story that blends supernatural revenge with sharp humor and heart. Barbara Truelove delivers a bold premise—a murdered girl haunting an antique doll—and turns it into a fast-paced, delightfully strange adventure that’s impossible to forget. 📚🖤

The story follows Lucy McQuinn, who refuses to quietly fade away after her murder. Instead, she finds herself inhabiting the body of a porcelain doll and sets out to track down her killer. While revenge is serious business, Lucy’s unusual situation—being only eighteen inches tall and made of fragile porcelain—creates moments of clever comedy alongside the tension.

Truelove’s writing shines with personality, blending horror, humor, and a strong sense of voice. Lucy is a fierce and determined protagonist, and her partnership with Nicola adds emotional depth and a powerful theme of friendship and solidarity. The story balances eerie supernatural elements with biting wit, making it both chilling and entertaining.

Overall, She’s a Doll is a bold and imaginative novel that celebrates resilience, rage, and the power of refusing to stay silent. With its quirky premise, memorable characters, and gleefully dark tone, it’s a fantastic pick for readers who love horror with humor and a strong feminist edge. 🕯️✨

I read this book in two days, sloughing off my own horror project so I could get to the end of this one. It was like a fun twist on The Lovely Bones. I'm here for anything else this author decides to write.

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.

Such a fun and unique concept think familiar horror vibes, but with a fresh twist. I flew through this in almost one sitting.
The POV was vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture every scene, and the pacing kept me hooked throughout. The character relationships felt natural, with some genuinely funny banter that balanced the darker elements nicely.
What I loved most was the emotional range it made me laugh, kept me curious, and even hit a few unexpectedly emotional moments.
This is a great pick for readers who enjoy lighter horror/thrillers. It’s more spooky than graphic, making it very accessible, but still engaging enough for seasoned horror fans.

Thanks netgalley for the opportunity!

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!

This is a hard book to categorise, genre wise. I went in thinking it was horror — and while the themes are definitely horrifying and there are creepy elements, I wouldn’t say it follows the quick pacing or standard scares of horror. The book is quite internal, which made the pacing a touch slow at times, but the inferiority was also really well done in exploring grief and the effects of violence and assault. Those aspects I think the author did particularly well. I also really enjoyed the sapphic bend of the story and the humor in the narrative.

I actually went through a complete gamut of emotions reading this. Darkly funny, surprisingly tender and emotional in spots, and enough rage to fuel a small country and they all felt so valid.

This story is intensely real (check CW) and I feel it was so well written. It’s really difficult to make these kinds of topics fit into a book and make it interesting enough to read. You really felt like you were there going through the feelings right along with Lu. I really liked Lu and Nic’s relationship, very Thelma and Louise-esque. If you were an outcast in high school this book was written for you. With dark humor and trauma dumping, this is an everyone-should-go-to-therapy type book. There’s even some surprise revelations you didn’t even know a dead person could have! Highly recommend.

This book actually felt quite short because the pacing is so zippy; it was the perfect length for this story.

This absolutely needs some art throughout the text! I chuckled to myself picturing the doll in various states of reassembly.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books/Barbara Truelove for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Wow. It’s genuinely so rare to find a story that feels completely original but this book is it. It’s heartbreaking, it’s funny, it’s well written. I enjoyed every minute of it all the way to the Book Club questions. Seriously, amazing book I can’t wait to see more from this author..

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC! This turned out to be a STRONG contender for my favorite of the year.

We’re introduced to Lucy; a bit of a socially-awkward misfit, torn between two sets of friends with little in common. After having been murdered, Lucy finds herself trapped inside a bride doll’s body sitting atop her Grandma’s shelf. Fueled by rage and a hunger for vengeance, she teams up with someone from her past as they set out on a journey to avenge Lucy and anyone else caught in this loser’s wrath.

I did not expect this to make me so emotional. It has so much heart. The found family aspect is so refreshing in this type of story. I’ll always be here for women supporting women and going to the ends of the earth for each other. Absolutely adored the smart, witty banter between Lucy and Nicola. They’re both cynical and sarcastic and the back-and-forth works so well.

The story itself could’ve fallen into silly territory, but it never does and it wholeheartedly commits itself to the bit (the Toy Story reference is too good).

I could not put this down and it’s one I won’t stop thinking about for a while. Cannot recommend enough.

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.

This is another beautiful story of found family through remixed classic characters in a modern setting from Barbara Truelove! Lucy finds herself “living” the ultimate Chucky situation when she’s murdered and comes back as a porcelain doll. Rather than sit on a shelf for the rest of her afterlife, she decides to take on the mantle of revenge and seeks out someone who can help her in her quest — enter Nicola, who has her own ideas for how to deal with the situation. Together, these two find a way to work together, a solution to their mutual “problem,” and a future they can both live with, metaphorically speaking.

Truelove is adept at telling a compelling story with engaging and real, though fantastical, characters. Her narrative doesn’t shy away from the messiness of relationship building, but never feels too bogged down in melodrama. The foundation of remixed classical narrative and characters adds elements of lightness and nostalgia to the story.

I loved reading Lucy’s revenge journey through the afterlife to find her true place in a loving and appropriately weird family. Truelove is now a must read author for me!

This review is my honest opinion of the book. Thank you to the publisher for providing a digital copy for me to read in advance of the publication date.

I'm particular about my five stars, if I rate something five stars, you can be sure that it's a book that leaves an imprint on my soul and that holds true here. I cannot even begin to express how much I absolutely LOVED She’s a Doll. Barbara Truelove absolutely knocked this out of the park and created a new work of art that rivals Of Monsters and Mainframes. Lucy and Nic joined forces in an unlikely pair that turned into one of the most memorable found families that I can think of. She’s a Doll had me laughing, crying, and sitting at the edge of my seat as the haunted, broken doll and her human friend embrace their feminine rage and seek vengeance for the crimes committed against them.

You should ✨absolutely✨ add this one to your TBR for its release date in October. It is a quintessential spooky read for fall.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 (seriously Goodreads, could we have half stars any day now?)

I absolutely adored this book!! I requested this because I thought it was going to be a "fun" slasher with a haunted doll (think tiffany/chucky) but dang it was so much more. This one is classified as horror but I have a really hard time calling it that, it wasn't gory, it wasn't scary (aside from the general scariness surrounding violence, death, loss) but what it was was good. This is a story with a lot of heart with characters I cared a lot about. Lucy is a bit messy/imperfect (but aren't we all) this made her feel truly human, she wasn't some unstoppable killing machine, she was stuck in a doll, robbed of her life and her future. Her relationship with Nicola is at times hilarious, other times it's frustrating and messy but you can feel that they care about one another. I also thought the representation of Lucy coming to understand her sexuality was incredibly well done. I also really teared up at parts (Cookie, you were the best boy). Also this one is a case of you need to read the ENTIRE book including the "questions for the reader" section at the end, wow did that turn some things around!!!

The reason this didn't get a 5 was simply because I felt it did get a little slow at some points, but at no point did it slow down to the point where I became uninterested - this was a book that was very hard for me to put down in fact. I also maybe would have liked a little more haunting/slow suffering of Kyle (seriously Kyle, you are the worst). Even with those "flaws" this was such a great book and one I really recommend!

Gorgeously written unique story about lucy who has been murdered and trying to get revenge on the man who murdered her ♥️

Strong details and great worldbuilding


A fun unique page turner 🥀

4.75 No, I am not OK 😭 I almost never cry for books or movies, but this had me on the verge more than once. The premise sounds cool, but I was worried it’d be silly or too campy. It wasn’t. It’s not just adequately competent, it’s epic.

It’s so ride or die, women supporting women, fem rage, queer rep, found family, and humorous!! So witty.

I absolutely love the mechanics of ghosting (being a ghost, not ignoring the phone). It all makes sense to me.

And I love the shoutouts to various ghost-themed or undead media.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eARC! Pub date Sept. 8, 2026

Firstly this book is so much FUN!! I was cracking up the entire time (except for the more serious parts of course). Secondly it’s so easy to get sucked into. I was hooked from the first sentence. Lastly this needs to be a movie asap. It’s like Chucky meets Toy Story of my childhood dreams. Love it so much.

She's a Doll has got to be one of the most original, creative and entertaining stories I've read in a long time and I loved every second of it!
I mean, reading from the actual POV of a creepy possessed doll/the ghost of a murdered girl, how cool is that?

I devoured this book in just two sittings. The story was fast paced, captivating and unputdown-able. This had everything; from dark and disturbing, to super emotional to laugh out loud funny moments (the humour, sarcasm and nerdy-references in this were right up my alley).
I adored our main characters Lucy and Nic. Both felt well fleshed out, so real, so flawed and yet extremely likeable and relatable. Their friendship was absolutely amazing and heart-warming.

This is so much more than just a quirky revenge story. It's a deep dive into female rage, grief, friendship and acceptance. It's gut-wrenching, it's sad, it's hilarious. It made me feel all the feels and I know these characters and this story will stay with me for a long time.
Barbara Truelove is definitely an author I'll read more from in the future.

4.5 ⭐

thank you netgalley for the wonderful opportunity to review this fantastic book!

this has such a unique premise and going into it i was excited but not sure if it was going to work for me. well, it absolutely did. this has a specific blend of humor and emotionality that hit me right in the feels.

i adore the way this book portrayed grief, female rage and trauma. i found myself laughing one moment (because this book is objectively a really funny book) and almost tearing up the next. this tale of revenge, trauma and healing wormed its way into my heart.

the haunted doll aspect was done incredibly well. the book approached the haunting plot point in such a unique way and i loved it. while there were creepy aspects to this plot, it was so much more emotional than i expected it to be.

Lucy and Nicola as characters gripped me right from the beginning. their banter, their fights, their friendship/sometimes sapphic tension and their chemistry felt really special to me. i got so invested that i don't want to let these characters go yet. i love how much time this book invested in building authentic female characters and deep connections and friendships.

it's the mark of a great book when you don't want it to end. i wanted to spend more time with these characters and found myself dreading finishing the last few pages because that meant letting go of this story. truly, a fantastic read.

this did have a lot of pop culture references and while it didn't bother me at all, i know some people don't like too many references.

This was an easy 5 star read for me! Exploring feminine rage through the eyes of a possessed doll out to get revenge? Sign me up. Our main character, Lucy has been murdered and instead of accepting her fate, she manages to possess a doll and set out on a revenge mission. Horror movies make being a haunted doll look easy (I'm looking at you Chucky) but Lucy shows us that is not the case.

She's a doll is funny, dark and sad, I was laughing out loud and crying throughout the course of this novel. Truelove's writing is quick and clean, engaging in the best of ways and I never wanted to put this one down. Monsters & Mainframes was a surprise favourite for me last year and She's a Doll has rocketed itself to the top for me this year, this has solidified Truelove as a must buy author for me.

Thank you to the publisher: Ezeekat Press, an imprint of Bindery Books, as well as author: Barbara Truelove, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy for review consideration! Opinions are my own.

This is one of the easiest 5 star reads I think I could ever give. This is my first story by Barbara Truelove that I have read, and it makes me excited to read her currently released other books and hopefully any future books by her.

Lucy McQuinn was murdered (gasp!), but she doesn't just fade into the afterlife. She is on a mission: revenge. Not as a typical ghost floating through walls or haunting a house.. she's now a porcelain doll. It's hard to get around when your body is made of literal porcelain, let alone get revenge. Here comes Nicola. Not a doll, but a human, who has her own reasons for wanting revenge, and eventually teams up with Lucy.

I think this book was a fantastic story about rage, grief, and revenge, but also friendship, and healing. This book felt like it was so much more than a story about a haunted doll, it truly felt like you got to see into the mind of Lucy McQuinn as she bonds with Nicola, adjusts to this new life, and plots her revenge.

She's A Doll had me hooked from the beginning, I absolutely LOVED it. A brilliant, unique mix of lit fic, horror, and humor, delivered in a thought-provoking way. I was enamored and thoroughly entertained. I also found this feminine-rage revenge story quite cathartic? Liberating? It was wonderful, I had an incredible time and Barbara Truelove is now on my radar!

Thanks to Bindery Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
An easy 5-stars.

Yes to this all day!
Campy, queer, anger, rage and revenge!
Lucy is murdered by her best friend's brother - determined to not be gone when her life is just beginning, Lucy throws her spirit into a doll.
The anger - on point, valid, fed Lucy's and my soul.
Nicola attempting to temper the rage into a more logical plan.
I loved Lucy - character growth, regression, and then maybe some resolution. Just so well done.

It’s only March, but I may have just found my favorite read of 2026.

On a day when she should be celebrating a big accomplishment, Lucy McQuinn’s brief life comes to a terrible end. Not one to give up and stay dead, Lucy’s soul enters the body of an antique doll. As a doll, her abilities to move and communicate are severely compromised, but she’s not going to let that stop her from taking revenge on her murderer. But she quickly discovers she’s going to need some help and it seems her only option is awkward weird girl Nicola. The lengths Lucy and Nicola go to to overcome their feelings of powerlessness and resolve unfinished business become increasingly madcap, captivating, and yes unhinged.

When I saw the cover of this book and read the description, I thought I was in for some kind of feminist Chucky remix. I expected a fun, violent and diverting read. But it is so much more than that. This book is a genre-bending, thrill-ride full of way more heart than I expected. Lucy is a delightful nightmare who I wanted to hurl in the garbage and hold close at the same time. I tried to put myself in her doll shoes and think about what I would do in her situation and I had to admit, probably make the same dubious choices she did.

The book explores big tough with a capital T subjects like violence against women, rage, trauma, and sexual identity in a way that feels respectful and grounded in reality. But it’s also sharply funny and a breath of fresh air.

It was so refreshing to read a book where the heart of the story was a platonic female friendship. The bond between Lucy and Nicola feels so real and complicated and I actually cared what happened to both of them.

I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book. I fear it may become my whole personality for the rest of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bindery Books and Ezeekat Press for providing an ARC of this book.

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.

Well, what a ride! Lucy is not your average hero, but god damn she IS a hero. Her friendship with Nic is just wonderful and their bonding is what keeps the book together. Lucy is sassy, is determined, is angry, is everything she is allowed to be and even more. I liked the ending, too. Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for the Arc. Really enjoyed it!

This book took the haunted doll trope and completely flipped it on its head. It’s eerie, sharp, and unexpectedly emotional. There’s rage, there’s revenge that makes it impossible to put down.
I loved how the story balanced unsettling moments with bits of dark humor it never felt too heavy but it also didn’t hold back. The writing felt so natural and immersive like you’re right there experiencing everything alongside Lucy.
Honestly this one stood out in the best way. Unique concept, strong voice, and such a satisfying ride from start to finish. Loved it . Had a great time reading this book.

Without giving too much away: I can’t wait to own a physical copy of this arc. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity. This was an incredible horror. Female rage at its finest with creepy doll lore. I love her friend the most in this story, Nicola.
Lu gets murdered and is set to find her murderer again but she reincarnates into a dead but not dead, doll. So good!

Barbara darling I have NEVER felt so privileged to have the same name as you.
- ⩩🪆› First of all I wanna thank Netgalley to give me the opportunity of reading this ARC in exchange of a honest review :) this is a spoiler free review!

— - ⩩🪆› Alright Im not even sure how to start this review because this book was such a wild ride, I was scrolling through Netgalley’s new releases and I was like “Oh this has such a nice cover! Let me read the description.. OMG-“ Yeah you got me. It was my first book by the author and Genuinely? i love you already miss Barbara, so glad we share the same name.
I read this book in 24 hours but I wasn’t ready to let go. I got so attached to the girls and to tue whole story that at the same time I wanted to know what would happen I also didn’t want to finish it! To be honest, you won me at the right beginning when you mentioned Peter pan, aka my favourite and comfort movie ever 😭

—- ⩩🦻🏼› Talking about the story and the writing, I found it a little confusing at the beginning and I struggled slightly to Understand the storyline and how the things were happening. GLADLY!!! I kept going and insisted in trying to understand and when the pieces got together I was already head over heels and skipped lunch and dinner to keep reading. Barbara’s writing style became so easy going when we reach like 20% of the story. I loved the concept of the story and how this was a whole “female revenge” thing. Grandma wasn’t joking when she mentioned “Don’t ever get married Lulu. Men aren’t worth it.” IT GETS EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU FINISH AND UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANT LIKE WHATTT!!! I can’t even mentioned how much I gasped when I found out who ‘saved’ Lucy😭 Plot? Loved. Story? Marvellous and made me less scared of dying. Sexuality? In doubt currently.

- ⩩🦻🏼› -In resume! If you’re looking for a funny thriller full of female revenge and female power to ruin a dirty man? PICK THIS UP! I wish this book had a movie tbh, all the time I was thinking. “Imagine this at screen.. like omg.” Honoured mention to Spotify who followed my journey with a Blasting Female anger playlist 👏 (aka So far so fake in repeat because Its so accurate.) So give this book a chance IMMEDIATELY!

—˗ˋˏ ˎˊ- Below you can see some of my fav quotes! No worries, it’s spoiler’s free!! 🪆🦻🏼 ˗ˋˏ ˎˊ——

-“⋰˚☆ Sorry, ladies. I’ve got places to be, arseholes to kill, you know how it is.””

-“⋰˚☆ But I guess that’s what death is. A conversation interrupted. A thread left hanging. A long uncertain note as the pianist turns the page and realises that the song is over, cut short a couple of bars before the crescendo.”

-“•ू♡ A prince didn’t save me; Nicola did, and she sure as shit didn’t do it with a kiss.”

This book was such a treat! It is one of the only books this year where I had a hard time waiting to read it, it was on my mind all day! It had had a perfect balance of heart, humor and female rage. I didn't know what to expect with the ending, but I loved it! This will be high on my list of recommendations to patrons.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books / Ezeekat Press for the ARC!

God I love angry [ghost] women. I devoured this book in one sitting which makes sense because I will devour anything Barb writes but I ESPECIALLY love the way she writes about ghosts. I also love female rage and ride-or-die friends which She’s a Doll definitely delivers on. And of course it this wouldn’t be a Barbara Truelove book without the corny jokes and so I must share my favorite exchange between Lucy and Nicola:

“Can I touch you? Is that OK?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“And pump hot glue onto you? That’s OK too, right?”
“Yes.”
“Including onto your face?”
“What else are we doing here?”
“Just checking.”

But anyway, if you love dark humor and haunted dolls and a story with a satisfying ending you HAVE to read She’s a Doll! (pssst also please read the book club questions at the end you will not regret it).

I absolutely loved this one. Unique perspective, funny, and light horror. Submitted to my book club for 2027!

What a ride! An interesting concept executed so brilliantly with deep characters that I loved. There is a lot of anger and grief but ultimately a lot of heart.

I inhaled this book and I want to read more by this author. Thank you for the advance copy

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...

I liked this better than I expected after seeing a negative review on social media. The concept for this was so fun and while its a popular movie idea its not common for books. It easily could've been boring to read about a Doll who couldn't move but her inner dialogue and relationship with Nic made the whole book feel interesting.

What an absolutely bonkers book. Traveling the world through a haunted porcelain doll with a revenge kick is everything I didn't know I needed about a campy comedic horror novel.

This was conceptually refreshing for me with an incredibly strong start that had me fully captivated. The dynamics of ghosty powers that were explored, the relationship between Lu and Nic, the discussions of grief and obsession - brilliantly done.

We get to the climactic action of the plot and then the pacing unfortunately comes to a halt and struggles to bring us home. There were a lot of loose ends to tie up, but some of them read as "too good to be true" even for this made up universe because of the stakes and expectations set for risky activities earlier in the novel.

Still this was so entertaining and follows a similar style of writing that makes the book recognizably Barbara Truelove, which is a fun thing to notice as a reader discovering a new favorite author.

A young woman called Lucy is murdered, and somehow finds herself possessing the body of an old doll. Can she do anything to bring her killer to justice? Will anyone believe her? What kind of ending will she have?
Lucy's point of view, especially when she's describing her powers & how she perceives time, is SO unique. The author is really good with balancing dark humor and snarky dialogue with really heartbreaking scenes (the one with Lucy at the pet cemetery will make you cry).

i was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed she's a doll by barbara truelove.

when i originally picked it up, i assumed it was going to be a standard horror comedy because of the premise... how wrong i was! this book had unexpected depths to it, exploring themes of grief and vengeance, while also being incredibly entertaining in the imagery and the execution of the story.

not only did i find myself incredibly invested in lucy's story, but i also thoroughly enjoyed the ending of this book - i had worries as we led up to the climax that it would be unsatisfactory, but honestly the outcome was even better than i could have imagined. such a great read!

The concept of a haunted doll but from the perspective of the one doing the haunting isn’t one I’ve read before but I loved it. She’s a Doll is the story of Lucy who was murdered and her soul drifted into the antique doll sat on her grandma’s shelf. Lucy’s journey for revenge was emotional at times and dark but I devoured it and didn’t want to put it down. Great characters and an interesting take on the haunted doll trope.

I really liked the author’s debut, 'Of Monsters and Mainframe', so I was excited for this one.

She's a Doll is a fast-paced read and with a fun and original concept and a lot of female-rage, which felt nice. It was funny but maybe a bit repetitive and the relationships between the characters, outside Lucy and Nic’s relationship-which was one of the highlight of the book-, felt rushed for some. Still, it was a good and quick read, very humorous, in a way only Truelove can do it.

★★★★☆ | 4 / 5

When we think of haunted dolls, the first one that comes to mind is Chucky. This is far from that. It is a revenge story, not typical of your hack-and-slash horror. It is comedic. There is found family. There is a happy ending, even though it’s not what you would expect it to be. I am unsure of what the word is used here for that genre, but it’s not a crawl-under-your-skin horror that one might think, filled with fright and dread.

Oh no. This story was very engaging, and I finished it in the span of 2 days. It was a page turner and had me wanting to read more and more. That’s how entertaining it was.

I have read Barbara Truelove’s Of Monsters and Mainframes, so I knew what the writing style would be like and expected it to be just as fun to read as that one was.

If you’re looking for something different, then look no further. There is a big content warning at the beginning of the book. If the content is something you’d rather avoid, then your mental health is more important.

I still don’t know why Kyle did that. But the thing is, these kinds of people don’t even need a reason to be that way. They are inherently evil, and I think that makes the whole situation frustrating to think about. No matter what, they will have created a narcissistic persona of themselves that everyone will love and believe. Yet deep down, they are far worse than what they appear to be. And for those who are wronged, finding justice becomes a sticky situation.

I loved this book! It was the perfect amount of silly and spooky. Lighthearted, but also deep where it needed to be. I really enjoyed getting to know Lucy and Nic, their personalities were so fun. I'm glad it ended in a happy ending and fuck that guy that killed her and his sister too!

Originale horror traboccante di humor nero, “She's a doll” di Barbara Truelove è una lettura che oscilla tra lutto e assurdo, brutalità e ironia, sa creare un’atmosfera narrativa inquietante e irresistibilmente coinvolgente, combinare vendetta soprannaturale e spunti sociali in una costruzione narrativa al tempo stesso ludica e significativa, tanto da poter rientrare in quella rosa di libri che oggi possiamo definire legati dalla “feminine rage” o comunque facenti parte di una più ampia tendenza della narrativa contemporanea che utilizza il fantastico e l’horror come strumenti per interrogare le strutture di potere legate al genere. Ciò che inizialmente potrebbe apparire, infatti, come una premessa che riecheggia la tradizione dell’oggetto infestato tipica del cinema horror, si trasforma in una riflessione sull’ingiustizia, sulla responsabilità individuale e sui modi in cui le esperienze di violenza subite dalle donne vengano spesso minimizzate o semplicemente non credute. 

La trama si sviluppa attorno a quesito sotteso: che forma può assumere la vendetta quando si è stati assassinati e si ritorna non come spettro ma come coscienza imprigionata in un oggetto? La protagonista si risveglia nella disorientante consapevolezza che la sua capacità di agire è ora limitata dalle restrizioni materiali di una bambola. Fin dall’inizio emerge una tensione fondamentale tra coscienza e corporeità, tra autonomia e confinamento, in uno snodarsi non lineare di incontri, piani e imprevisti che ampliano progressivamente l’orizzonte della vicenda. Al centro di questo sviluppo si colloca la relazione con Nicola, una giovane donna outsider dotata di una sensibilità acuta, che diventa confidente e alleata della protagonista. La loro apparentemente improbabile alleanza diviene il vero asse emotivo del romanzo, facendo sì che il progetto di vendetta diventi  una storia di riconoscimento reciproco, fiducia e solidarietà. 

Senza rivelare elementi cruciali della trama, il romanzo destabilizza ripetutamente le aspettative del lettore con situazioni che sembrano promettere un’escalation tipicamente horror e poi vengono spesso rilette attraverso l’umorismo e improvvisi cambi di direzione narrativa.

La bambola infestata rappresenta uno dei simboli più comuni dell’immaginario dell’orrore, ma in questo caso non siamo di fronte alla consueta presenza demoniaca, bensì alla coscienza di una vittima in cerca di giustizia. Il corpo della bambola (fragile e culturalmente rappresentato come femminile) si trasforma nella metafora dei modi in cui le donne vengono spesso ridotte a oggetti. Analogamente, intrappolata in un simile involucro, la protagonista incarna letteralmente una critica femminista di lunga data, quella secondo cui la società tende “cosificare” le donne.

Questo spunto colloca il romanzo, come accennavo inizialmente, all’interno della più ampia tradizione narrativa “feminine rage”. Negli ultimi decenni, la critica femminista ha sottolineato sempre più il potenziale politico ed espressivo dell’ira nelle opere scritte da donne, che diventano così uno spazio privilegiato in cui tali emozioni possono essere articolate e rielaborate. Nel romanzo di Truelove, la rabbia è la risposta emotiva al tradimento, all’ingiustizia e all’esperienza di essere ridotte al silenzio, e la ricerca di vendetta della protagonista vuole essere una rivendicazione esistenziale di riconoscimento. La sua ira nasce non solo dalla violenza che ha posto fine alla sua vita, ma anche dalla consapevolezza di appartenere a un sistema culturale in cui tale violenza risulta tragicamente prevedibile.

Il romanzo evita inoltre di presentare la rabbia come un fenomeno esclusivamente individuale, ma al contrario la colloca all’interno di dinamiche relazionali, in particolare attraverso l’evoluzione dell’amicizia tra la protagonista Lucy e Nicola. I loro scambi costituiscono uno dei nuclei emotivi - e pure comici - più riusciti dell’opera. L’eccentricità di Nicola e la sua posizione marginale nella società le permettono di cogliere verità che altri ignorano, rendendola capace di riconoscere la presenza di Lucy e di prenderla sul serio. Progressivamente, questa relazione trasforma la narrazione in una riflessione più ampia sull’amicizia come forma di resistenza contro l’isolamento, la solitudine e il giudizio che subiscono le vittime. In un mondo in cui la voce della protagonista è stata letteralmente separata dal suo corpo, il semplice atto di essere ascoltata assume un significato profondamente liberatorio.

La struttura narrativa del romanzo si fonda su un calibrato equilibrio tra tensione e intermezzi comici, riferimenti pop e cambi di tono improvvisi, cosa che suscita maggior curiosità e coinvolgimento. Questo si rispecchia anche nel linguaggio dal ritmo rapido, dai dialoghi vivaci e dalle descrizioni efficaci che catturano tanto l’assurdità quanto l’inquietudine della situazione. L’umorismo svolge un ruolo centrale, poiché non sminuisce gli aspetti più cupi della storia, anzi, li intensifica mettendo in luce l’assurdità della condizione della protagonista. 

“She’s a doll” è un libro che far convivere leggerezza e gravità senza che l’una annulli l’altra, invitando il lettore a ridere, a inquietarsi e a riflettere spesso nello stesso momento, e a guardare la protagonista, intrappolata nella porcellana eppure viva di memoria, quale simbolo della persistenza ostinata della verità, animata da una rabbia che è rifiuto di lasciare che il silenzio sia l’ultima parola.

Unsettling and sharply observant, She’s a Doll plays with control, objectification, and the uneasy boundaries between person and possession. It leans into discomfort with a quiet confidence, letting its horror emerge through implication rather than spectacle. Creepy, controlled, and laced with a lingering sense of unease.