Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

For those of you who know the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Dee Dee, this is a fictionalization of their story. If you don't know their story, read about it here. Though Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel is loosely based on this true crime case — and a fascinating case at that — it isn’t necessary to know the ins and outs of Gypsy Rose’s story to enjoy this one.

Rose Gold Watts spent the last 18+ years of her life thinking she was severely ill and completely dependent on her mother, Patty Watts. It wasn't until her secret online boyfriend planted the seeds of doubt in her mind that Rose Gold began to question the truth in her ailments. Her mother is sent to prison for five years, charged with aggravated child abuse, and Rose Gold is on her own. Flash forward to Patty's release and Rose Gold is bringing her into her and her infant child's home to the horror of the entire town. But little do they realize, Rose Gold isn't a naive child anymore…

There were a couple of inconsistencies in the book that I noticed, but they were nit-picky things that had little impact on the actual crafting of the book. I found it to be well written and brilliantly laid out, as it switches between Patty and Rose Gold's points of views as well as merges the past and present in a single seamless stitch. I didn't really connect with Rose Gold in the first third to half of this book; I think it was due to her helpless dependence on other and her tendency to be a pushover. HOWEVER. A BIG HOWEVER. By the time Rose Gold comes into her own and flat out snaps, I LOVED her.

The whole ending -- the last three or four chapters where her true plan comes to light -- makes the whole book.

Anyone with a morbid curiosity, a fascination with the Gypsy Rose/ Dee Dee Blanchard story, or that just likes a good solid mystery thriller will dig this novel. READ IT SO I CAN TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT IT!