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A review by meghan_plethoraofpages
Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
4.0
Definitely don’t judge this book by its sweet looking cover. This is one creepy, messed up psychological thriller that is highly entertaining (and gut twisting) to read. With multiple points of view and flashbacks, the book is narrated by both mother, Patty, and daughter, Rose Gold.
Patty has been imprisoned for aggravated child abuse throughout Rose Gold’s childhood. In a “Munchausen disorder by proxy” situation, it is alleged that Patty is responsible for her daughter’s lifetime of illnesses - rendering her wheelchair dependent with a feeding tube without having an actual diagnosis.
After 5 years in jail, Patty is being released, and Rose Gold has agreed to pick her up. Is revenge or forgiveness going to colour their new relationship?
Patty and Rose Gold are fascinating characters. Their motivations and actions are slowly revealed, in such a twisty, thoughtful way that kept me guessing most of the way through. The writing is clear, and the author has a lot of skill in eliciting different emotions. I felt sickness, rage, embarrassment, warmth. It’s a rollercoaster as we are taken from present to past and to present again.
This is an impressive debut. I think this will likely be a very popular novel, and despite its macabre tone and mind-boggling manipulation by both mother & daughter, it’s an easy read, with deeply unsettling characters.
My main complaint is that some details sound similar to a few real-life cases, and there’s no acknowledgement of such anywhere in the author’s notes. When you’ve heard of these tragic real-life cases the story doesn’t sound quite as fresh and original.
I will definitely look out for future works from Stephanie Wrobel! 4⭐️
Thank you so much to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for free access to this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Patty has been imprisoned for aggravated child abuse throughout Rose Gold’s childhood. In a “Munchausen disorder by proxy” situation, it is alleged that Patty is responsible for her daughter’s lifetime of illnesses - rendering her wheelchair dependent with a feeding tube without having an actual diagnosis.
After 5 years in jail, Patty is being released, and Rose Gold has agreed to pick her up. Is revenge or forgiveness going to colour their new relationship?
Patty and Rose Gold are fascinating characters. Their motivations and actions are slowly revealed, in such a twisty, thoughtful way that kept me guessing most of the way through. The writing is clear, and the author has a lot of skill in eliciting different emotions. I felt sickness, rage, embarrassment, warmth. It’s a rollercoaster as we are taken from present to past and to present again.
This is an impressive debut. I think this will likely be a very popular novel, and despite its macabre tone and mind-boggling manipulation by both mother & daughter, it’s an easy read, with deeply unsettling characters.
My main complaint is that some details sound similar to a few real-life cases, and there’s no acknowledgement of such anywhere in the author’s notes. When you’ve heard of these tragic real-life cases the story doesn’t sound quite as fresh and original.
I will definitely look out for future works from Stephanie Wrobel! 4⭐️
Thank you so much to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for free access to this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.