Mirabelle's mother loves her. Every morning, she paints her face like a little doll, and brushes her hair, and helps Mirabelle with her schoolwork. She cares for her, and keeps her safe, even if it means she can't ever go outside. Mother loves her so much, she brings her a gift for her 13th birthday - a sister, Clarabelle. But Clarabelle's arrival brings more change than expected, and soon Mirabelle is questioning everything she thought she knew. But she knows one thing for sure - she needs to find out what's really happening, and fast. After all, dolls only have short lives....

Wow, wow, wow. What a book! I honestly cannot believe this was a debut, the writing was so skilful, and the plot is incredible unique and well-paced, although I won't comment on the plot as it is so twisted and unusual that I wouldn't want to give anything away! I will admit, things did get a bit ridiculous at times, and it definitely went beyond the realms of possibility on occasion as the action picked up pace. However, I really didn't care at all if it was a bit silly at times. It was a completely captivating and gripping thriller, with a totally unique concept and a flawless execution.

Overall, a really strong book, and an incredibly impressive debut. It is definitely one that draws you in, and like many other reviewers, I read it in just a day. It's subject matter is harrowing, the plot is mind-bending, and it is all in all one of the best thriller's I've read so far this year.

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in conjunction with NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

Mother Loves Me, She Loves Me Not.... 🤔 Great Debut Thriller

Told by Mirabelle, she's just turned 13 and lives with Mother under strict and strange conditions. Mirabelle just wants to go outdoors, but Mother says it's too dangerous for her.. that it'll kill her. As part of her birthday present, Mother brings home a new sister, Mirabelle is becoming more aware and uncomfortable on how they became to be with Mother... and why they can't leave the house.

Mother Loves Me is a great debut novel, starts off well, reminding me a little of Room, with a difference. When you get about half way the pace picks up... a book you could easily devour in one sitting.

Mirabelle is a very resourceful girl, learns quickly, is a survivor. Mother sadly very troubled over past events, making her and her motives in her mind normal, in reality, evil, determined to get the perfect Little Doll, she desires... when you grow up, you can no longer fill this role.

A definite should read, look forward to reading more from this author.

Brilliant book! I read this in just one day, I loved it! I felt as though I was watching a really fast paced film and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended, highly recommend.

Oh my this was one heck of a creepy read and takes the words psychological thriller to a new level !! I was amazed that this was a debut book it was such a well crafted story with one hell of a crazy protagonist that raced along at a fair old speed. It’s a book that I read in just over a day and one that I difficult to describe without rehashing the plot but it put me in mind of those old black and white thrillers starring Bette Davies that used to freak me out when I was a kid.
So pick this book up and be prepared to feel your spine tingle its full of tension and pretty gory in parts and I didn’t like the spider !! it’s a great read and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future .
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow I can’t believe this is a debut novel. I had a proper rollercoaster of emotions while reading this, I was terrified of ‘mother’ As you could feel & hear the evil, I didn’t once feel sorry for her.
I was gripped and had to keep reading just so I could find out that it ended well.
This book was one of those that you finish and just sit taking it in. It left its mark.
Massive well done to the author, I can not wait for your next book!!!

“Mother loves me” is often described as the creepiest debut and guess what? It's as creepy as it gets.
Mirabelle mother loves her. Paints her face, dresses her in pretty dresses, make sure she looks flawless. As long as she remembers she was always her mother's “little doll”.

Only that at 13 Mirabelle is no longer little, she's outgrown her cute dresses and her mother is not too happy about it.
Then suddenly a new, younger sister appears. Mother rescued her from abusive father. Mirabelle is worried because she know that dolls don't live long lives and Mother has already found the replacement.

Wow! What a book! I devoured it in few hours. I was only taking breaks to make tea, I gave up on coffee as my heart was racing from all the exciting twists and turns and fast-paced action.
I'm still shivering till now. This is definitely the best book I've read so far this year. I can't believe it's a debut.

I can't wait for Abby's next book. I'm sure it will be as gripping as this one!

What an explosive debut, excited to see what comes next by this author such a talent , defiantly on my top ten books of 2020!

I devout this within one day it had me up into the early hours (a great distraction from the heatwave)

It's the book that keeps on giving: Just when you think it's reached it conclusion the anti starts again.

A gripping thriller, fast paced, full of suspense my heads still spinning!!

This was a harrowing read. It starts sweetly with a young girl being tended to by her doting mother, and then it takes a sinister turn when you don't know who to believe anymore. The mother and her beliefs, the girl or the replacement doll. I can't wait for another read by this author. Highly recommended.
TB

I got drawn in on the first page --" Mother likes to paint my face every morning "--- What is going on here ?? It felt like a scene from "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane "
Mirabelle is treated like a doll by her Mother . One day she reaches the age of 13 -and everything begins to unravel.......
Wonderfully Creepy !

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

Mirabelle has never seen the outside world, the windows to her house are boarded up. Her mother loves her. She dresses her in frilly dresses, combs her hair, paints her face, calls her "her doll". Mirabelle would do anything to please Mother.
On Mirabelle's 13th birthday, Mother brings her a special gift. A sister...
Now Mother has two dolls. But Mirabelle is growing up, and Mother only needs one doll...

Wow. What have I just read? Is this really a debut?
Not often does it happen that a book grips me right from the very first sentence, but this one did that and more. I was hooked from the beginning until the very end.
I've finished this book within a day, but whenever I had to put it down, I had to literally tear myself from it.
It was a thrilling, fast-paced, on the edge of your seat read, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
If you're looking for a gripping, devour in one sitting book then make sure you choose this one.
I can't wait for the author's next book.

Well this book kept me guessing, when I thought I knew what was going to happen and how it was going to end the twists and turns just kept on coming, a good read
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this.

Fantastic book would make an awesome film - had me gripped throughout - a book of family dynamics full of lies and deceit

Crikey I loved this book. It kept me reading late into the night, thinking I will just read one more chapter. I cannot believe it is the authors debut novel. Mother wants her own little doll. however when Mirabelle grows up a little she becomes too old so one day she brings home another doll called Clarabelle. But where has she come from? There was a huge amount of psychological suspense which was great. Mother was one of the most psychotic characters I have ever read. The only slight criticism would be a lot of what happens would be beyond most 13 year olds - I cannot wait to read another book by this author

I absolutely devoured this book! Read it in one sitting. It was everything I love in a thriller - suspenseful, far-fetched, edge of your seat drama! It was really easy to detest the 'Mother' character right from the beginning and to feel emotional on behalf of the two little dolls. This was very very well written and I would be eager to read further novels from this new author - an outstanding debut!
My only issue is we never got to know what the secret Olivia had to admit when locked up was...it made it hard to understand whether she was indeed a good guy or a bad guy and responsible in some way for her sisters issues. I suppose the not knowing is intentional though and it didn't spoil the ending for me.
A great book, thanks netgalley for the arc.

when i started this book i thought this wasn't for me but i am so glad i stayed with it! it had`me on edge the rest of the way through. Hope given and then taken away- i couldn't pout it down, great book!

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.

Mirabelles loves her
But as she grows up her mother’s not too happy
When she about 13 yrs old her mother brings home a new sister called Clarabelle
She believes that all dolls end up in a scrap heap
I had an ARC

Scary thriller with surprising twists. The portrayal of the mother in this story is excellent and the thoughts of the victim give us a real insight.

Another captivating and gripping read which has kept me awake far too late. I have absolutely adored this book.
It is without a doubt a five star read.

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐