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THIS MIGHT HURT by STEPHANIE WROBEL

February 23, 2022

About the Book:

From the USA Today best-selling and Edgar-nominated author of Darling Rose Gold comes a dark, thrilling novel about two sisters – one trapped in the clutches of a cult, the other in a web of her own lies.

Welcome to Wisewood. We’ll keep your secrets if you keep ours.

Natalie Collins hasn’t heard from her sister in more than half a year.

The last time they spoke, Kit was slogging from mundane workdays to obligatory happy hours to crying in the shower about their dead mother. She told Natalie she was sure there was something more out there.

And then she found Wisewood.

On a private island off the coast of Maine, Wisewood’s guests commit to six-month stays. During this time, they’re prohibited from contact with the rest of the world – no internet, no phones, no exceptions. But the rules are for a good reason: to keep guests focused on achieving true fearlessness so they can become their Maximized Selves. Natalie thinks it’s a bad idea, but Kit has had enough of her sister’s cynicism and voluntarily disappears off the grid.

Six months later, Natalie receives a menacing email from a Wisewood account threatening to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from Kit. Panicked, Natalie hurries north to come clean to her sister and bring her home. But she’s about to learn that Wisewood won’t let either of them go without a fight.

My Review:

 

I loved the author’s first book ‘Darling Rose Gold’ (a must-read!), so I was very excited for her second book. The premise sounded so intriguing! There are definitely elements of both the real-life
NXIVM Cult and the fictional series ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’.

Natalie Collins is a high-achiever and at the top of her profession. Her personal life does not run as smoothly. She has not been able to reach her sister Kit for months. The book is told from the points of view of Natalie, Kit and a third person who suffered a traumatic and abusive childhood. I was confused about who this person was and assumed it was Natalie but I was so wrong!

Kit has found structure and purpose at Wisewood, located on a remote island in Maine, which requires that its “guests” sign nondisclosure agreements. Guests are also not allowed contact with family members. When Natalie receives an ominous email from someone at Wisewood threatening to reveal a family secret, she is determined to find her sister.

Wisewood is run by “Teacher”, who demands loyalty from those at Wisewood. Natalie is alarmed by all of this but Kit seems to have accepted all of the demands and rigors of the program. To the reader, it might seem obvious that Wisewood was a cult, but Kit seems to be thriving. Although she is not the old, friendly Kit that Natalie expected, she seems to be stronger.

It was a little confusing keeping track of the points of view but the story moved very quickly. I found the flashbacks to one of the character’s abusive childhood to be very disturbing, although those events were central to how this person turned out to be as an adult. This book examines the reasons why people are drawn to join a cult, and sadly, how an abused child can turn into an abusive adult.

“What’s the only way you’re going to succeed? … Through my willingness to endure.”

Although I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the author’s first book, it is an interesting psychological thriller with lots of surprises thrown in.

(Thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced reading copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Categories : 3 Stars, Psychological Thriller, Reviews Tagged : Stephanie Wrobel, This Might Hurt

DARLING ROSE GOLD by STEPHANIE WROBEL

April 21, 2020

 

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.

Categories : 4.5 Stars, Reviews, Suspense, Thriller, Women's Fiction Tagged : Darling Rose Gold, Stephanie Wrobel

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