Darling Rose Gold

Content Rating: 18+ Genre: Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Adult Published: March 17, 2020, by Berkley Darling Rose Gold is a chilling dark tale of a mother-daughter relationship that delves into the very complicated aspects of Munchausen by Proxy. This book will have you thinking long after you put it down; how a mother, whose primary role is to love and care for their child, could be so cruel and self-absorbed. I found this story very similar to the real-life story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. However, the similarities are superficial. Ms. Wrobel does not hide the fact that she studied many real-life cases of Munchausen by Proxy, referring to this in her Author’s Note. The telling of Darling Rose Gold will horrify and shock you to your very core. This is a character-driven story, delving into the twisted relationship between Rose Gold and her mother, Patty. On the outside, Patty was the perfect mother, dedicating her life to her sick child, always putting her child above everything in her own life. Through all this, Rose Gold worshiped her mother’s attention. However, all is not perfect; at eighteen, Rose figures out that it’s her mother that is making her sick, and it’s Rose Gold’s testimony that sends Patty to jail for five years. “My daughter didn’t have to testify against me. She chose to. It’s Rose Gold’s fault I went to prison, but she is not the only one to blame.” Patty Watts’ character will disgust and repulse you, a horrible person. Still, after all, she did to Rose Gold, Rose Gold was there to pick Patty up from prison. It seems pretty crazy, right? Well, maybe all is not as it seems. Over the last five years, Rose has grown up, bought a house of her own, and now living as a single mother. At the beginning of this novel, my heart hurt for Rose Gold. But as time went on, some things weren’t quite right with her. When Rose shows her mother to her new room, Patty looks to the ceiling, and creepy doesn’t even begin to describe the scene. “I follow her gaze upward. Painted on the ceiling are two giant lifelike eyes. I yelp and jump back. The eyes are blue and watery, like they’re upset with me.” Darling Rose Gold is a novel that immerses the reader in the complicated relationship between mother and daughter. And then adds a hefty dose of manipulation, deceit, and revenge and wraps it all up in a disturbing well-written story. This book is full of mind games, played by both Patty and Rose Gold. This novel is full of surprises, some I saw coming, some I did not. I don’t want to say too much more about the plot, no spoilers for this reviewer! In the writing of Darling Rose Gold, Ms. Wrobel has found the right balance between elements of non- fiction with a touch of realistic fiction and added a psychological thriller component that not only enhances the enjoyment of this book but also keeps the reader on edge. Darling Rose Gold is Stephanie Wrobel’s debut novel, and as far as debut novels go, I thought this one was well done and would recommend it. * Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. * ** I kindly received an ARC of this book by way of Edelweiss/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

Stephanie Wrobel introduces a fresh perspective into an exhausted topic with her novel Darling Rose Gold. The past few years has seen the market glutted with depictions of the fascinating and disturbing psychological disorder Munchausen By Proxy. In actuality an extremely rare disorder, it involves a primary caregiver who intentionally harms a child in order to gain attention and sympathy (a grossly oversimplified definition). Most of the popular stories are sensationalized accounts with a clear female perpetrator and a victimized child, low on nuance and high in shock value. Darling Rose Gold is both more original and interesting than the typical offerings and is well worth exploring as a result. Providing an interior view of both the mother and the child as a grown adult, Wrobel shows how the pathology emerges and the resulting long-term damage it inflicts on both characters. The novel begins as Patty, the mother, is being released from prison five years after her daughter Rose Gold has provided testimony against her. Surprisingly, Rose Gold has seemingly not only forgiven her, but is also accepting her back into her home despite the abuse she suffered. The emotional stakes are increased further by the presence of Rose Gold’s newborn-who the reader fears will fall prey to the unrepentant Patty. The author alternates between narration from both women’s points-of-view, using flashbacks to develop some background and provide insight about the intervening years. Wrobel thereby shows the genesis and extent of Patty’s unhinged thoughts in the context of her own childhood abuse and demonstrates Rose Gold’s stumbling entry into independent adulthood. The novel’s best chapters are those in which Rose Gold struggles to compensate for the external and internal scars she still carries while dealing with a lingering rage that she has no idea how to healthily express. Both women are treated cruelly by a community that cannot comprehend the monstrosity produced by this disorder and are confused by Rose Gold’s seeming naivete. Patty defiantly tries to insert herself back into her old environment without admitting guilt, and Rose Gold desperately attempts to be accepted but is challenged by others’ alternating pity and judgement. There are occasions in the book when the shifting perspectives and timeline jumps can be a bit confusing to the reader, but the resulting disorientation is satisfyingly resolved and helps to maintain a heightened sense of tension and suspense. Excellently plotted and climactic with some truly surprising elements, Darling Rose Gold is perceptive and empathetic in dealing with a topic that has suffered from too much attention with insufficient depth. Thanks to the author, Berkley (Penguin) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was so good look I personally don't read a lot but when I saw this book it got my attention.It took me Two days to finish this book.The way it had two perspectives tool it to the next level. Honestly I love that it was a curve ball amazing enjoyed it so much can't wait to read more book from this author.