Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
The Wild Roses: Betrayal. Corruption. Obsession. Is there a way out? Kindle Edition
By autumn 1984 Sharon and Pip are in their final years of school and on the verge of adulthood. Best friends for as long as they can remember, the two young women befriend their badly bullied schoolmate, Gavin. Their futures are bright until a chance meeting leads to a path of corruption, anger and malicious betrayal. Sometimes, when we can’t rely on those we love, our only hope is in the kindness of strangers.
All three teens are driven from their homes to follow very different paths. They face dark times of heartbreak and new temptations.
But there may be ways out and better futures, if they are willing to take risks. What will they choose, and will they ever see each other again?
The Wild Roses is a coming-of-age drama for all ages that speaks honestly of love, loss, jealousy, coercion and self-discovery.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateOctober 31, 2019
- File size1.2 MB
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B07ZVWHBK2
- Publisher : Mirador Publishing (October 31, 2019)
- Publication date : October 31, 2019
- Language : English
- File size : 1.2 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 366 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1913264394
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,855,673 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #4,981 in Women's Psychological Fiction
- #19,741 in Women's Literary Fiction
- #21,538 in Coming of Age Fiction (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

D. B. Carter lives with his family on the edge of a small town nestled amongst the rolling hills of rural Devon, England.
The son of two nomadic artists, he grew up in a world of creativity, studying painting techniques under his parents' tutelage. In his 20s, he went to university and followed a career in science and later commerce, running his own business for twenty years.
A lifelong bibliophile, he is firmly of the opinion that there is no such thing as too many books, only insufficient shelf space; it was his love of classical literature, of Dickens and Brontë, that led to the creation of "The Cherries."
His philosophy is, "If we look for the good, we will find it."
Customer reviews
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star5 star76%18%6%0%0%76%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star4 star76%18%6%0%0%18%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star3 star76%18%6%0%0%6%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star2 star76%18%6%0%0%0%
- 5 star4 star3 star2 star1 star1 star76%18%6%0%0%0%
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the characters engaging and relatable. They find the storyline entertaining and thought-provoking, holding their interest from the first page to the last. The book is described as heartwarming and touching, with relatable characters that you feel their ups and downs.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the characters engaging. They feel their ups and downs, and see their hopes and dreams.
"...I thoroughly enjoyed this book on so many levels. The characters are engaging–you feel their ups and downs, see their hopes and dreams, and live the..." Read more
"...writes the tough subjects and makes them palatable with rich character development, and weaves a tale that will keep you engrossed. "..." Read more
"...Mr. Carter has an enviable talent for creating a setting and characters who are familiar and relatable yet hold you by the heart...." Read more
"...The characters were so real & the story so entertaining, I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend The Wild Roses...." Read more
Customers find the storyline engaging with relatable secondary characters. They are drawn into the story and experience its joys and heartaches. The book is described as a thought-provoking coming-of-age novel that holds their interest from the first page to the last. Readers mention it's a novel for all ages.
"...The characters are engaging–you feel their ups and downs, see their hopes and dreams, and live the sorrow of their mistakes...." Read more
"...wise words are said, balance hard fought yet attained, this is a novel for all ages, that I highly recommend." Read more
"...There are wonderfully drawn secondary characters who lend deeply to the story lines...." Read more
"...I was immediately drawn into the story where I experienced the joys and heartaches of unforgettable characters making their way into adulthood in..." Read more
Customers find the book heartwarming and relatable. They feel the characters' ups and downs, see their hopes and dreams, and find hope in the midst of despair. The story is about finding balance in the midst of loss, lies, betrayal, and hope. Carter imbues empathy, frustration, heartbreak, and moments in life.
"...The characters are engaging–you feel their ups and downs, see their hopes and dreams, and live the sorrow of their mistakes...." Read more
"...loss, lies, betrayal and hope retained — it’s about finding balance in the midst of despair and cutting the dead branches of life away that can’t..." Read more
"...Carter imbues empathy, frustration, heartbreak and more upon the reader as the characters develop and discover themselves amidst the journey life..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019The lives of three friends change dramatically by the choices they make in Author D.B Carter’s latest tale, The Wild Roses. Pip, the conscientious daughter, devoted friend and career oriented young woman finds that doing the right thing doesn’t always mean happiness and success. Sharon decides to take a wild leap of faith, but the dark side of her choices soon appear. Gavin is an introvert, studious with a heart of gold, but bullied by his peers. A chance act of bravery changes his classmates perception, but can he live up to their brave expectations?
We travel through the years with the three friends, experiencing the betrayal and heartbreak of their love lives, the cruel ramifications of acts committed in anger, the real life struggles faced in the workplace, and the criminal dangers out on the street. Family drama ignites as memories and past decisions haunt the parents and their children. Decisions have ramifications, as many are about to learn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book on so many levels. The characters are engaging–you feel their ups and downs, see their hopes and dreams, and live the sorrow of their mistakes. Life is not always fair, and most always has a surprise twist in store. The Wild Roses is a story that shows us the bittersweet moments in life, and the hope for a better tomorrow. A great read to reflect upon and give thanks, especially during this holiday season, highly recommended!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020A story of best friends, love, loss, lies, betrayal and hope retained — it’s about finding balance in the midst of despair and cutting the dead branches of life away that can’t be repaired. The Wild Roses by D.B. Carter is a coming-of-age saga that catapults three best friends into strangers to each other, yet, still, they cling to the vestiges of hope, happiness and grow strong.
"Look at the whole plant and only cut away what’s bad if it might kill the rest of it, but most importantly, make sure it is balanced.
See the good, see the whole, that’s what’s important.”
Carter writes the tough subjects and makes them palatable with rich character development, and weaves a tale that will keep you engrossed. "Time slowly crumbles all defenses if they are not maintained." Broken hearts are mended or at least understood, wise words are said, balance hard fought yet attained, this is a novel for all ages, that I highly recommend.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2020The character development in this book is something to marvel at. It takes it’s time and unveils itself naturally. I would encourage the reader to read the first chapter again after they’ve finished the book. The transformations reveal themselves there.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2019After reading DB Carter's first book, 'The Cherries', it was with great anticipation that I picked up his second novel, 'The Wild Roses.' Mr. Carter did not disappoint. The Wild Roses, blissfully set in the 1980s with all of its fashion and music, immediately drew me in. Mr. Carter has an enviable talent for creating a setting and characters who are familiar and relatable yet hold you by the heart. The main characters: Pip, Sharon and Gavin are teenaged school friends all on the verge of their futures. They each have a path they are set to take but not one of their lives follows suit. Carter imbues empathy, frustration, heartbreak and more upon the reader as the characters develop and discover themselves amidst the journey life has set them on. There are wonderfully drawn secondary characters who lend deeply to the story lines. I believe anyone reading this book, regardless of the decade they came of age in, will find something of himself/herself in one of the characters. DB Carter is a truly gifted author. I highly recommend this book. You'll be disappointed if you miss it!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2019The Wild Roses is a story of three friends - Pip, Sharon and Gavin - and the consequences of the choices in life each makes. I was immediately drawn into the story where I experienced the joys and heartaches of unforgettable characters making their way into adulthood in Britain in the 1980s. The characters were so real & the story so entertaining, I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend The Wild Roses. It held my interest from the first page to the last!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2020This book is filled with twists and turns that will hold you from beginning to end. An incredible read that uplifts the soul and renews the faith. Following these teenagers to young adulthood brings the joys and sorrows of their lives from the pages of a book to reality.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019This novel was not only a joy to read, it was like being transported into the book itself. The emotions were so raw and real, the love so contagious, I couldn’t put the book down.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2020This one simply did not captivate me or hold my attention. I tried a few times to get back into it, but did not make it. Perhaps the writing style just wasn't for me, since typically I like more lighthearted reading.
Top reviews from other countries
- Kerri DavidsonReviewed in Canada on December 18, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Well, color me humbled.
I don’t recall why or when I purchased this book. It sat on my shelf for ages. Every so often, I’d open it and start reading the first few pages.
I declared it to be riddled with adverbs, run-on sentences, and ridiculous dialogue tags.
I could not have been more wrong.
When I finally settled in to read the first two chapters, I was hooked.
The author’s style of writing is incredibly unique and indescribably beautiful.
This coming of age tale about three childhood friends is like no other I’ve read. I lived their lives, I became part of their worlds and their families. It physically pained me when I had to put the book down and return to the real world.
The Wild Roses is not a short read, but there was not one moment where the story lagged. My eyes never wandered from the page. The pacing was perfect. Every word soothed me as the story was told. Yes, the old adage of “show don’t tell” gets tossed out the window here. I wanted to be told a story, and I was. Yet it was told in such a brilliant way that it naturally played in my head as I read it. That is the exquisite balance between the two, and I find very few authors manage to pull it off.
Love, betrayal, redemption, all of human nature in its imperfect glory is explored and somehow woven together to create a relatable tale that will always be a part of me now.
There were a few places where I found myself wanting – demanding something to turn out a certain way. It didn’t always happen, but guess what? I’m so happy it didn’t. The author knew better.
As the pages remaining in the book dwindled, I savored each word all the more. I didn’t want to leave this world that had become mine.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, as did this book. I cannot deny I shed a few happy tears when it did. The ending was glorious.
Hats off to the author, and I look forward to reading the rest of his works. (Including the story of Mrs. Nestyhead if it ever becomes available.)
This book goes to the top of my list of recommendations.
- C AspinallReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read this year
I loved this book – It made me laugh, made me cry, and kept me up until 2 am because I simply couldn’t put it down.
The Wild Roses is a heartfelt coming of age story centred around three friends. Each of them is very different and due to a chance meeting, their stories take them on three very different journeys as they try to find out who they are and fit into their changing world.
DB Carter weaves words in lovely melodic prose, filled with cultural references that bring the emotional story into vivid colour. I could happily read his writing every day.
One of the things I liked the most was the realistic characters. No one was perfect, every single one had a unique personality, and it was easy to genuinely like many of them. They could have been real people based on how well crafted they were. The bond between Pip and her grandparents was truly beautiful to read.
Although set in the eighties, the various trials faced by the characters include racism, sexual assault, drug culture, money struggles, and domestic abuse, which are all still big issues and DB Carter addresses them with the respect they need.
Overall, I recommend everyone reads The Wild Roses.
- whatamiatailorReviewed in Canada on February 20, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars A Jorney Through Life's Many Challenges
The Wild Roses begins as a clear-cut story of action and result, conflict and consequence, but the book quickly transforms into an exploration of how messy and complicated life can become, how it can tread on the kind souls of this world, and too often elevates the ones doing the treading. Yet it spins these events with a tenderness that’s difficult to forget. It offers characters you can’t help but cheer for, no matter the difficulties life throws at them.
- Jan MapleReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Strong, Relatable Central Character + Important Social Themes
Once again, DB Carter has created a book that tackles important social themes (bullying both at school and work, sexual harassment, domestic violence) whilst immersing the readers in the lives of the central characters.
The book is well-paced and absorbing and seen through the eyes of three school friends as events lead up to a betrayal that will have catastrophic effects.
Throughout, the character of Pip is strong, likeable and the reader roots for her. Will betrayal and the subsequent events destroy her life forever? Will the lives of Sharon, Gavin and their wider families be destroyed?
The book skillfully blends romance, family drama, social commentary and a touch of mystery and suspense.
- L.L. TremblayReviewed in Canada on December 8, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!
“The Wild Roses” is very well written; I loved it! The characters are relatable. Pip, the protagonist, takes you on a journey written in a way that you can visualize it—I felt like I was right there with her and her friends. The plot is convincing and intriguing. The story grabs you by surprise just when you think you had it figured out. I highly recommend this book.