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    If you're looking for a novel similar to

Gone Girl, I believe you've found it when

considering Stephanie Wrobel's suspense-

thriller, Darling Rose Gold. Based in

a present-day small town, this story follows

that of an "overprotective" mother caring

for her "sick" daughter--in reality, her

mother was poisoning her for years in order

to gain the sympathy of others. Although, it

wasn't necessarily sympathy the mother was

going for but more so praise. She wanted the appraisal of others for

all of the "hard work" and "dedication" she'd been giving her ill

daughter. When realization set in of what was actually going on, Rose

Gold sent her mother, Patty, to prison for five years of child abuse/

endangerment. It was her single testimony, along with witnesses' inputs

and evidence, that fixed Patty's fate.

    Five years later, Patty's out of prison . . . and staying with Rose

Gold and her infant son, Adam. Things are quite peculiar when reading

through the novel. The synopsis is evident that Patty poisoned Rose 

Gold as a child, but there's a back and forth between the characters (

and their timelines) that makes the reader question what exactly

happened between the two of them before Patty's incarceration. Rose

Gold's actions of taking Patty in make those who harbor resentment

towards Patty watch her even closer. Patty feels the scrutiny and just

wants those around her to appreciate her for what she truly is -- a

doting mother who cares for her daughter and grandson.

    While reader's should feel sorry for Rose Gold, it's astonishing to

realize she's got quite the schemes up her sleeves. In those five years

of Patty's stay in prison, Rose Gold uncovered family secrets that had

every impact on her upbringing and future with her mother.

Manipulation, deceit, betrayal, and outright terror impede on Rose

Gold's decisions and overall character throughout the novel. She's not

a force to be reckoned with but feared. Unfortunately, everything Rose

Gold forges for herself goes unnoticed (in all the promising ways). She

gets off scot-free of all the bad deeds she's led herself to do and in

turn, her mother takes the fall.

    Wrobel's novel holds a phrase that I believe stands true when it

comes to the overall outcome of the novel: (1) "They say a grudge is a

heavy thing to carry. Good thing we're extra strong" (305). There's

obvious tension between mother and daughter, not surprising considering

the circumstances. Instead of Rose Gold being the bigger person, she

was the smarter of the two and achieved her diabolical plans to a T.

    I'd highly recommend this novel to those who are fans of Gone Girl.

The tension between characters, the twists and turns that occur in

order for the most sinister to achieve their goals. HIGHLY contagious

to read and oh-so worth it!

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