Camilla’s Roses
Bernice L. McFadden

It’s impossible to run away from who you are, or rather it’s very hard. It’s like running away from your own shadow. Camilla’s associates misfortune with who she is at her core. In an attempt to forget who she was, she chooses to accept a very different set of circumstances.

I like how a simple inquiry in regard to her familial medical history turns into something more insightful. Cancer has cause a fair amount of anguish within her lineage. But, there are so many other points of dissension: colorism, drug addiction, poverty and racism to name a few.

Dealing with family conflict is hard to navigate. It might be easy to judge Camilla’s decision to create an identity from her fragmented perception of elitism, but I choose not to compartmentalize her stressors and reactions. Don’t get me wrong, everything is outrageous. Camilla is unrecognizable. When those things and ideals she used to anchor herself are compromised she is even more vulnerable and lost in the vastness of otherness. In other words, it’s a cold cold world.

While I have your attention, this is my petition to implore you to read any book written by #BerniceLMcFadden. I suggest starting with Sugar or Camilla’s Rose.

Thank you Plume and NetGalley for the ARC.
#readandtellwithshantel #BerniceLMcFadden #Camilla’sRose

I haven't read Bernice McFadden since I read Sugar years ago and I really enjoyed this. Camilla's Roses follows her grandmother, mother, aunt and herself through time and discusses their life and the different trials and tribulations. I really enjoyed this book because it shows you how generational trauma gets passed down and just the chaos of being in a family in general. The writing of McFadden kept me wanting to read more plus take my time with the story because I wanted to be with this family just a little while longer.

Camilla’s Roses was my first time reading Bernice L. McFadden, and what a powerful, unforgettable introduction. This novel moved me deeply—both as a reader and someone who has personally felt the weight of breast cancer-related loss. It’s a story that speaks to pain, identity, and survival with tenderness and truth.

The story follows Camilla in two timelines: her present-day life is shaken by the discovery of a lump in her breast, while memories from her past slowly unfold, revealing the reasons she’s distanced herself from her family for years. As the story progresses, these two timelines begin to converge, bringing Camilla face-to-face with the truth she’s long tried to bury and the future she can no longer avoid.

Camilla shares a middle name—Rose—with the women in her maternal line, a tradition rooted in a unique rosebush that only thrives on her great-great-grandmother’s land in Southern Georgia. That rose, clipped and replanted many times without success, becomes a powerful symbol of the generational strength and rootedness of the women in this family.

Camilla’s past is filled with emotional turmoil: raised by her grandmother and great-aunt while her parents battled heroin addiction, she grew up surrounded by instability, heartbreak, and silence. Her longing to escape led to years of self-denial, from bleaching her skin to lying about her background—both to others and herself. McFadden explores these struggles with incredible sensitivity and depth.

Themes like breast cancer, addiction, abandonment, colorism, and generational trauma are present throughout the novel, but never feel heavy for the sake of it. McFadden writes with compassion and nuance, letting the emotional weight of each moment breathe. Every character is richly drawn and essential to the story’s emotional impact.

Though this book delves into darkness, there is light, too. The women in this story—Camilla and her “Roses”—are resilient. Their strength may not always be loud, but it’s undeniable. Like that rosebush, they survive where they’re rooted. There is pain here, yes, but also quiet hope, healing, and a sense that even fractured things can bloom again.

I’m so grateful for the chance to read this early and look forward to exploring more of Bernice L. McFadden’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was hooked from the beginning!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

Bernice McFadden deserves her flowers. Alllll the flowers!

Camilla's Roses is a reprint (where have I been?), and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read this moving story.

Aboutness: Camilla faces her past as her present becomes bleak. She can no longer hide or be pretend to be perfect as she is forced to face her mortality.

Ms. McFadden is a master storyteller. I love her writing-style. Although the story jumps in time, McFadden's words will keep the reader engaged. Readers will also find this novel easy to follow. Yes, family trauma and chaos isn't a new topic, but the way Bernice writes makes this story a must read. Grab your tissues if you're a cry baby like me.

This story was good, well paced, and interesting, I love layered stories that discuss different generations within one family. Each section felt like a fresh voice and the author really let each character's personality shine in their chapters. It did feel like I could have gotten more, and could have sat in this universe a little longer.

I received a copy of the reissue of Camilla’s Roses from Netgalley. The cover is stunning and the story content is as well. The main character of the book is Camilla Rose. She and other women in her bloodline have the middle name Rose. They also share behavioral patterns and family dysfunction. McFadden writes this multi-generational tale in a way that pulls you in and want the best for these women.

Camilla’s Roses is a deeply moving exploration of the intersections between love, trauma, and the weight of generational healing. Camilla’s journey, as she confronts her painful past in the face of a life-altering diagnosis, is heartfelt and raw, resonating with anyone who has grappled with reconciling their history while building a future.The novel masterfully navigates the bittersweet complexities of motherhood, capturing both its beauty and its challenges. Through Camilla’s struggles and triumphs, the story unfolds into a tender reminder of life’s fragility and the courage it takes to seek forgiveness and connection. It’s an inspiring and emotional read that stays with you long after the final chapter.

Ok first this book is beautiful I want a physical copy just for my shelf. Second the book in general is a work of art. I love when a book can bring out every emotion for me and that's what this did. I love books that also go into family history and the past.

This book is a gripping and emotionally charged read that pulled me in right from the start. The story follows Camilla, a woman who’s spent her life trying to escape a chaotic, love-filled childhood, seeking perfection in her adult life. But when a cancer diagnosis forces her to revisit her past, she’s confronted with the painful choices and experiences that shaped who she’s become.
At first, I struggled to empathize with Camilla's grandmother, Velma. Her selfishness and harsh treatment of Maggie, made her difficult to like. However, as the story unfolded, I began to understand the depth of Velma’s character and how her actions tied into the larger themes of motherhood, regret, and the need for reconciliation.
What really resonated with me was the emotional depth of the novel, as Camilla comes to terms with the complicated realities of love, loss, and mortality. The story serves as a powerful reminder of how our pasts shape the decisions we make and how far we’re willing to go for those we love—sometimes requiring us to face painful truths. By the end, I found myself reflecting on the choices we all must make in our own journeys toward healing.

Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Plume for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Camilla’s Roses by Bernice L. McFadden is an emotional and deeply affecting story that lingers long after you turn the final page. McFadden’s portrayal of Camilla, a woman shaped by a turbulent past and an uncertain present, is masterful. Camilla’s journey through pain, self-discovery, and reconciliation is heartbreaking and inspiring, making her a protagonist you cannot help but root for.

McFadden creates a vivid and poignant narrative, seamlessly weaving Camilla’s past and present. The exploration of familial love, loss, and the scars of unspoken truths is handled with sensitivity and grace, and the story’s reflections on mortality are universal and powerful.

However, while the writing is undeniably beautiful, there were moments when the pacing felt uneven, particularly in the transitions between Camilla’s memories and her present-day struggles. Some sections felt slightly rushed, leaving me wishing for more time to explore the nuances of her relationships, especially with her daughter.

Despite this minor flaw, Camilla’s Roses is a deeply moving and thought-provoking. It reminds us of the power of love, the necessity of facing our past, and the beauty of forgiveness and resilience. It is highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with profound emotional depth.

*Camilla's Roses* by Bernice L. McFadden is a captivating and heartfelt novel that gently pulls readers into a world of emotional complexity, family secrets, and profound self-discovery. The story follows Camilla, a woman searching for healing and understanding in the aftermath of a tumultuous childhood, marked by a deep sense of loss and abandonment.

McFadden's writing is deeply empathetic, painting her characters with a rich and compassionate brush. Camilla’s journey is both personal and universal, as she grapples with forgiveness—toward others and herself. The prose flows effortlessly, weaving together themes of resilience, the power of love, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child. The narrative takes readers through moments of pain and joy, offering a candid exploration of the human experience. The characters are wonderfully complex and authentic, and McFadden does an exceptional job of making them relatable. The vivid descriptions of the environments and the subtle nuances of the emotional landscape make *Camilla's Roses* a novel that lingers long after the last page is turned. The way McFadden tackles difficult topics, including generational trauma and reconciliation, without ever feeling preachy or forced, is a testament to her storytelling prowess. In short, *Camilla’s Roses* is a beautifully written story about healing, hope, and the power of love to transform lives. It’s a book that invites readers to reflect on their own relationships and the complexities of their own pasts, while reminding them that growth is always possible. For anyone looking for a deeply moving and redemptive read, this novel is a must.

A timeless story reimagined! Camilla’s Rose beautifully weaves themes of love, resilience, and rediscovery. The rich character development and vivid descriptions of the countryside make it an immersive read. Highlights include Camilla’s journey of self-discovery, the heartwarming family dynamics, and a twist that keeps you hooked till the end. Perfect for fans of emotional, character-driven tales!