About the Book:

 

Mothers never forget. Daughters never forgive.

For the first eighteen years of her life, Rose Gold Watts believed she was seriously ill. She was allergic to everything, used a wheelchair and practically lived at the hospital. Neighbors did all they could, holding fundraisers and offering shoulders to cry on, but no matter how many doctors, tests, or surgeries, no one could figure out what was wrong with Rose Gold.

Turns out her mom, Patty Watts, was just a really good liar.

After serving five years in prison, Patty gets out with nowhere to go and begs her daughter to take her in. The entire community is shocked when Rose Gold says yes.

Patty insists all she wants is to reconcile their differences. She says she’s forgiven Rose Gold for turning her in and testifying against her. But Rose Gold knows her mother. Patty Watts always settles a score.

Unfortunately for Patty, Rose Gold is no longer her weak little darling…

And she’s waited such a long time for her mother to come home.

 

My Review:

 

Sooo creepy!!! But I loved it!! This is a deliciously wicked thriller that was a pure delight to read in spite of the serious subject matter. Rose Gold’s mother Patty is being released from prison after being convicted of abusing her daughter. According to Patty, Rose Gold suffered from a myriad of mysterious illnesses her whole life, necessitating endless hospital stays, homeschooling and ultimately even a wheelchair.

Alternating perspectives between Rose Gold and Patty, the author cleverly gives the reader insight into Patty’s motives and Rose Gold’s current life. Mother and daughter seem to have come to an uneasy truce now that Patty is out in the real world. But was Rose Gold really sick when she was young? Or did her own mother cause her child’s illnesses, just to grab attention?

“On that day of my trial, and for many years after, my daughter was lost. But in the end, I was right: all the vicious people in the world couldn’t keep us apart. She found her way back to me. This time, dear girl, I promise not to let you go.”

This is a fast-paced, clever story that had me guessing all the way to the end. I felt sympathy for Rose Gold, who was trying very hard to live a normal adult life, and not be seen just as a victim. There are a few glimpses into what might be a dark side, but who would be entirely normal after being subjected to Patty’s abuse? The author did a wonderful job of showing us Patty’s point of view as well. I am wary of calling a book with such serious subject matter entertaining, but this book certainly surprised me with its fascinating cast of characters. Was Patty pure evil? Or was she simply acting in her daughter’s best interests?

“Riddle me this: if I spent almost two decades abusing my daughter, why did she offer to pick me up today?”

I really enjoyed this dark and clever thriller and highly recommend it! The plot is fast paced and held my attention which is hard to do these days. Hats off to the author for this very well-researched and unusual story!

Thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.