This story is seriously messed up! "The Recovery Of Rose Gold" is a dark, creepy, twisted tale which explores Munchausen's-by-Proxy, toxic relationships and the far-reaching effects of childhood abuse. I found it to be a quick, engaging read with a satisfactory conclusion.

This book was recommended to me by a reader friend and I am so glad it was.

Rose Gold Watts believed she was sick for eighteen years.

She thought she needed the feeding tube, the surgeries, the wheelchair . . .

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of child abuse and the reason Patty Watts goes to jail for five years.

But now she is getting out and is still convinced that she did nothing wrong.

This is a well written, twisted and complex story told in dual narration. It will appeal to everyone who enjoys twisted, dark psychological thrillers and I would love to see it made into a film.

This took me a while to get in to but when I did - well!!! What bitter and twisted people! Talk about revenge being sweet! Well planned and thought out!

Oh my days!! I read this in one sitting as it was so gripping. I will not give any spoilers at all as this is up there in my top 10 for sure!!! Thank you so much netgalley. A definite must read!!

The story begins when the five-year sentence for a crime has come to an end and Patty Watts is being released back into society to rebuild her life. Her victim had been her daughter Rose Gold, who for 18 years had suffered at the hands of her mother who had Munchausen by proxy syndrome.
Rose Gold had spent all her childhood and teenage years in and out of hospitals as her mother, a former nurse, convinced doctor after doctor of illnesses that her daughter didn't really have. Rose Gold had, a couple of years before, mended bridges between them and was now willing for her mum to move into the house she was buying. Rose Gold also had a baby boy herself now.
The story is told by both Patty and Rose Gold as it drops back to the past while moving forward into new territory too. What comes across straight away is the twisted mind of Patty who is like a cat ready to pounce on the mouse and put it back in its place again but in the meantime is content to toy with her. But Rose Gold isn't a child anymore.
The actual story of Rose Gold growing up is extremely similar to the real-life case of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter Gypsy Rose, which I watched as a series on NetFlix's true-life drama in 2018. The ending to that story is very different though.
The story really began to get under my skin, with many OMG moments that made me look at everything differently. The more I read the more I wanted to keep the book at arm's length but I couldn't put it down.
I really loved the character development of both mother and daughter in the book, in a twisted entertaining way, which grows darker on every page. I could feel myself pulling away from these characters, but I was mesmerised with them like a rabbit caught in headlights unable to see what was coming at me. Oh, boy was this just brilliant. What a trump card to play!!!! A cracking read.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

An unusual book which looks at the fractured relationship between a mother and daughter and shows how events early on in your life can affect you later on. Can Rose Gold break away from her seemingly loving bit very manipulative mother.
Rose Gold is a sickly child in and out of hospital. Her mother Patty is considered a saint by her friends and the whole neighbourhood for the care she gives her. But all is not as it seems and mother and daughter become estranged and Patty in prison for her behaviour towards her daughter.
Strangely, Rose is reconciled with her mother and on her release goes to live with her and her son Adam. However neither of them can escape the events of the past and it looks like things are about to repeat themselves.

This was a good one! If your mother, the one person who has your best interests at heart says you are ill, of course you’re going to spend the first eighteen years of your life believing her ... but what if that’s not the case at all? I really enjoyed the split narrative of this book between Rose Gold and her mother, Patty, as well as the time shifts between the narratives. I also loved the character of Rose Gold and the lengths she will go to. I also felt that the different threads of the story were really well tied up at the end - this was a book I got totally lost in.

A remarkable thriller debut that was probably inspired by the true-crime tale of Gypsy Rose Blancard and her mother, Dee Dee. Although the book follows the same premise as the terrible real-life affair that revolves around an overprotective mother/ child abuse, the author managed to make the story original.

This thriller was addictive. I loved the format and style of writing. No boring flashbacks or draggy storylines — It was straight to the point. The characters are quite memorable too. I love complex characters. The author did an amazing job with their developments, especially Rose Gold.
This book is going on my favourites list! You guys may want to save this as your 2020 TBR! It comes out March 19th, 2020.

Thank you so much to Penguin UK, Michael Joseph Books & Netgalley for sending the e-ARC for an exchange of an honest review. Kudos to the author for writing such a spectacular debut.

Where to find me?
Instagram : @iqrareads
Goodreads: iqrareadsbooks

I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I am so glad I requested it. The story is compelling and clever, and the ending completely unexpected. Although the central characters are irredeemably awful, it is impossible not to feel some sympathy at times. The author also paints a nice portrait of a very close community, which can make life very difficult for transgressors. A really enjoyable read, in spite of the dark subject matter.

Rose Gold spent the first eighteen years of her life being fed through a tube and enduring constant bouts of treatments and surgeries for her mysterious chronic illness. When it's discovered that her mother, Patty, has been poisoning her own daughter, Patty receives a five year prison sentence for aggravated child abuse, and Rose Gold is free to live her life on her own terms for the first time.

When Patty is finally released, Rose Gold offers to let her stay with her until she finds her feet, and Patty is certain their relationship is on the mend, not least when Rose Gold agrees to let her look after new baby son. But as Patty begins to exercise her control over her daughter once again, while Rose Gold struggles to find a balance between her old life and her new one, it seems that only one Watts woman can get her way...

I liked that this book was split between a then and now narrative so that we got to see a little of how Rose Gold coped when Patty was convicted, as well as how the two of them struggle to find their footing once they're reunited. I was desperate to read this book, as I was fascinated by the real life case of Gypsy Rose (which I'm pretty sure this book is based on), and it didn't disappoint - it's well written with great insights into both Patty and Rose Gold's state of mind. The only reason I took a star off was because I felt the ending lacked punch - after the rest of the book was so well-paced and tense, the ending felt a little like it just tailed off. That having been said, this was deftly done, and I would absolutely recommend - I very much look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rose Gold Watts lived out her childhood as an invalid. Her teeth are rotten from vomiting. At 18 her mother is convicted for causing her illness and is jailed for 5 years. Rose Gold testified against her On her mother Patty's release Rose Gold drives over to collect her and takes her into her home.

We see the results of her childhood both on Rose Gold physically and on her character. Who is the note manipulative the mother or the daughter? How will the situation pan out ?

I found this book to be utterly grim. The characterization is very good but it's so bleak. I bailed out 1/3 of the way through but it may appeal to those who enjoy a grimly compelling novel.

Oh dear where do I begin? Firstly this is one seriously f*cked up, twisted, dark and seriously uncomfortable book and secondly I absolutely LOVED it. Everything about this book ticked my warped and disturbed mind.

To say I devoured this book in almost one sitting is not an exaggeration – it’s literally UNPUTDOWNABLE. The Recovery of Rose Gold (or Darling Rose Gold in the US) is one hell of a powerful and disturbing debut novel from Stephanie Wrobel.

Told from the viewpoints of Patty Watts, a devoted and misunderstood mother who has just been released from serving 5 years in prison for aggravated child abuse and her daughter, Rose Gold Watts now 22 years and trying to rebuild her life and reconnect with Patty despite the horrendous childhood she endured at the hands of her mother.

The story alternates from the present and events leading up to Patty’s arrest and the five years she was in prison and it doesn’t hurt that both women are “bat-shit crazy” and slightly unreliable narrators throughout.

I don’t want to admit that I “enjoyed” this book because the subject matter is really uncomfortable and dark, but my obviously depraved mind and dry sense of humour absolutely LOVED it.

If you like twisted and deeply flawed characters in a story that both sickens and entertains you then I am 100% guaranteed you will love this book as much as I did. The only downside is that it’s not available to buy until March 2020 – but in my opinion it is definitely worth the wait.

Rose Gold’s mother Patty poisoned her as a child, keeping her sick and dependent. She went to prison but now she has been released and Rose Gold is waiting to take her home.
This twisty turny thriller is written in both Patty and Rose Gold’s voices. As Patty goes home with Rose Gold and her baby, we worry for Rose Gold’s safety. But we soon start to ask; just who is manipulating who?
Is Rose Gold as compliant as she seems and is Patty really a heartless monster as the media and town of Deadwick have branded her?
Well-plotted and characterised, this novel is creepy and poignant at the same time with a denouement that is suitably shocking.
Recommended for thriller-lovers.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, for the ARC.
This book is a sensational read - couldn't put it down.
Although not mentioned specifically, the story is an exemplification of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome. Narrated from two points of view - Patty, the mother, in the present, and - Rose Gold, the daughter, from 2012 when she was 18 years old to present day 2017.
Patty had been a licensed nurse; a single mother who was obsessively protective of her daughter who, since birth, presented with illness after illness; Patty loved hospitals and talking as an equal to doctors about her daughter's increasingly debilitating symptoms and remedies available. Rose Gold is withdrawn from school because of campaigns of bullying - her teeth were rotted due to years of vomiting. Patty was highly respected in her community and neighbours all rallied around to support them. Eventually Rose Gold became wheelchair-bound and emaciated. Mother and daughter were co-dependent.
Until......Rose Gold is 17 when she discovers the truth and Patty is on trial for Aggravated Child Abuse - at which Rose Gold testifies. Patty can't believe her daughter, for whom she'd sacrificed any kind of personal life to look after her, could swear against her.
Patty is imprisoned for 5 years and doesn't see Rose Gold again until 4 years later. Rose Gold just wants her mother to admit that she was guilty - unfortunately she doesn't. However, on release, Patty begins living with Rose Gold and her new baby Adam (father out of the picture). Rose Gold gradually allows her mother more access to looking after Adam following her initial mistrust, whilst she goes to work.
There's lots more to Rose Gold's late teens/early twenties - how many times can a girl get 'kicked in the teeth!.
"Revenge is a dish best served cold", so the saying goes (attributions can be numerous), and it most definitely is here - ice-cold!.
A complex, dark and sinister thriller which builds up to a very clever ending, via many twists and red-herrings. Well-written and exceptionally-well plotted.
A really absorbing read.

This book was horrifying in the best way possible. I loved it. Talk about a toxic mother daughter relationship, this one was genuinely utterly nuts. Still, strangely believable.

You think you’d have some sympathy for a girl whose entire childhood disappeared into an illness that was created by her mother and absolutely none for the monstrous woman who put her through it. However Stephanie Wrobel plays with your perceptions perfectly throughout the narrative and quite honestly in the end I hated the lot of them, again in the best way possible.

A twisted game of cat and mouse and one upmanship plays out via the separate tales of Rose Gold and Patty Watts and only one will come out on top…but who will it be? Well you’ll have to read to find out but you’ll be engaged, riveted and often open mouthed…

A brilliantly addictive read.

Recommended.

A beautifully twisted novel about the blurred lines between love, abuse and revenge.

The story is told alternately between Patty (the mother) in the present day and Rose Gold (the daughter) narrating the events leading up to the present. Both of them have distinctive voices and are perfect examples of unreliable narrators, providing a pair of perspectives that are distinctly skewed and untrustworthy. As a result, the book is both gripping and horrifying; I don't want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but suffice to say Rose Gold's amoral and distorted upbringing was bound to have an impact on her adult life and the lines she is or isn't willing to cross. I found the ending both justified and thoroughly alarming!

Not always an easy read in terms of subject matter, but highly recommended.

I’m absolutely obsessed with Munchausen by Proxy and Gypsy Rose Blanchard so when I saw the synopsis for The Recovery of Rose Gold I knew this was a book I HAD to read.

Obviously my expectations were high going into this and it does not disappoint! If you want dark, disturbing and creepy then The Recovery of Rose Gold is the book for you. Told from Rose Golds and her mothers (Patty) point of view this story sticks with you. I found myself horrified at 99% of the plot but it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s twisty and emotional and have I already said disturbing? Let me repeat myself. This is disturbing! (And I love it).

My only fault is the US title is much better. And that barely counts as a fault.

Get this read!

This book held my attention from start to finish. Totally absorbing .Its the story of a mother who for some reason kept her daughter sick through her whole childhood. When the daughter was old enough she testified against her mother who went to prison. On release Rose Gold appears to have forgiven her mother but has she? Only reading the book will let you know.