Gold Rush is a novel that is so so accurate right now, ever since the Me Too Movement started. It shows us the aftermath of an encouter between a PR and a very famous man, who takes advantage of her, but does not seem to suffer any consequences

Heartbreaking and infuriating, but well written

A page-turning debut that explores celebrity culture and the pitfalls of power. I was obsessed with the first 60% or so, to the point that I’d wake up in the night thinking ‘I’ll read a bit more since I’m awake’.

Unfortunately after that point, it did start to lose its way a little. While she is tackling a very tricky subject, Petter’s approach to the darker elements of the plot is very superficial, we spend the second half of the book dancing around the issue with no clear goal. There’s an overly descriptive hen party that doesn’t feel connected to the story in any meaningful way and the best friend just disappears for no reason.

I found the ending anti-climactic and the change in perspective odd. It’s as if the author didn’t quite know how to proceed so she just switched to another character who frankly, hadn’t made much of an impression.

All in all, a good read, but not as good as the likes of Prima Facie or Jaded.

Very intriguing book on consent and prejudices, in which the main character (Rose) experiences one night together with a famous musician which will haunt her afterwards. This was all very thoughtfully and (hauntingly) realistically written with a relatable main character.

I especially enjoyed the first half of the book, after which it started to lose my attention a bit, however, luckily, it picked up right towards the end and I really liked the ending of the book.

Definitely a book I'd recommend, and I'm surprised by the maturity of the writing given that this is Olivia Petter's debut novel.

Imagine spending the night with the most famous man on the planet and not quite remembering it. This is the shocking reality for Rose, a twenty-something woman who seemingly has it all. Gold Rush is a pre-MeToo story that delves into themes of consent, celebrity culture, and the struggle to find one's place in a world that often devalues and disrespects women's bodies. It’s a story about navigating life when the world seems to insist on undermining your worth.

Olivia Petter has crafted a narrative that is both beautiful and haunting, with characters so real that I felt like I was a part of their lives, sharing in their joys and struggles. Rose is a heartbreakingly relatable character for women everywhere, navigating a world that feels familiar in its challenges. Her journey highlights the universal struggle of finding one's voice in a world that often attempts to silence it.

The social commentary in this book is spot on, diving deep into celebrity culture and the darker side of fame. It’s a brave piece of writing that tackles issues that many readers will, unfortunately, find all too familiar. While the story was fast-paced and sometimes chaotic, it mirrored the whirlwind life Rose was leading, capturing the complexity of her experiences.

Olivia Petter's writing style is a breath of fresh air, with a contemporary touch that feels both engaging and deeply insightful, she has created a multifaceted portrayal of modern womanhood that is as unsettling as it is compelling. Despite the longer chapters, I was completely absorbed by Rose's story and the world Olivia Petter has created.

Gold Rush is a novel that will resonate with many, sparking conversations about consent, identity, and the pervasive influence of celebrity culture. It’s a brave and thought-provoking debut that challenges readers to reflect on the realities of our world.

Thank you to Netgalley and 4th Estate for the e-arc!

Flew through this, a page turner that though flagged in the blurb almost took me by surprise in how much it took a turn. Left me feeling uneasy but for all the right reasons. A bit more surface level than I usually go for but can see this being a social media favourite.

Set in the pre-Me Too era, Gold Rush follows press assistant Rose who spends the night with huge mega star Milo Jax but wakes up the next morning and can’t remember anything.

This was a timely, zeitgeisty look at consent and celebrity culture and it had the potential to be brilliant but at times I felt like it was trying too hard to be too many things which led to the main storyline get lost at points.

It was also resolved quite quickly at the end and I understand why the writer took that approach for the ending but I felt it could have benefitted from and been more impactful if it had ended a different way.

Despite the critique it genuinely was really well written and i’ll definitely be interested in what the writer does next.

An interesting story about how a woman contends with being raped and assaulted by a celebrity, power imbalance and exploitation of people.

I've had my eye on Gold Rush ever since I read the blurb (and saw the cover!) revealed on social media, so I was very excited to read this!

The darker side to fame is something I seem to always be drawn to in books, and this was no different. I thought it was dark and edgy, with alot of complicated emotions to unpack.

Whilst this was uncomfortable to read at times, the many difficult topics throughout are ones which are important to discuss. The author did a great job of detailing how much Rose slowly changed after her  sexual assault, and the aftermath this had on not only her mental health but physical health too.
I was disappointed and angry how she was treated by certain people and I found myself feeling quite emotional that no one seemed to see how much Rose was suffering. I'm sure that was the whole point though, so Olivia did me good on the emotional front for sure!

The reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me? The ending. I was expecting the ending to have a bigger impact on me tbh. Throughout I'd found myself thinking this was a really bold, powerful book but the final chapters just fell alittle flat for me.

That being said, I will be recommending this to all my book friends because I really did enjoy it and I think they all will too.

I really enjoyed this MeToo novel. We follow Rose who works as a PA at a magazine and ends up getting involved with mega pop star Milo Jax. What follows is a whirlwind of emotions while Rose navigates feelings of shame, disappointment of confusion.

Petter mostly managed to keep me invested in the story through subtle 'show don't tell's' until the end which somewhat dropped the ball for me in it's convenience. That being said, I'm not a fan of neatly wrapped up endings both in films and books.
Still, especially considering this is a debut novel, I would definitely recommend this!

Rose works as a publicity assistant for a big fashion magazine, excelling and complicit in the exploitation of celebrities and influencers for money. Her encounter with the biggest star of all, Milo Jax, doesn't end well and Rose acts as any teenager would although she is trapped inside a grown woman's body.. The book is an insightful glimpse at a corrupt world, there are multiple episodes of excess that offer commentary on the rights and wrongs of people with money and influence exploiting those who don't have it. The ending came a bit abruptly, overall left me wondering about the intended message.

A subtle thriller on the cult of celebrity

Without giving away any spoilers, this is a fever dream of celeb culture, on the tension between new media and print, on the power of fame on both the famous and the public, and the secrets we tell ourselves and the world around us. Rising star publicist Rose encounters the world's most famous pop star Milo Jax at an afterparty and ends up connecting with him, mentally and physically. But Rose wakes up the next day with no memory of what happened at the very end of the night, with only some very upsetting evidence.

The novel depicts Rose's work and personal lives in gritty detail: the world of pre-pandemic magazines and the shift to digital, glossy parties and even glossier influencers; and her London life, sub-letting from her best friend, navigating dating apps and posh house parties, her relationship with her mum. There's also a thin undercurrent of her art school ambitions to be a portraitist, but not enough is made of this, particularly when the cover is a dramatically painted portrait.

I really enjoyed this, a more cerebral thriller than most, that starts off like.a new adult, Hello! romcom and then rapidly steers off the rails as Rose starts to realise that something is very, very wrong.

Well worth the time: four well-deserved stars.

4.5 stars

Gold Rush is an incredible debut novel that offers a powerful exploration of celebrity culture and consent. Set in the pre-MeToo movement era, Olivia Petter spins a keen narrative that scrutinizes the rise of influencers, the power we give celebrities, and the dark side of both these cultures alongside the overwhelming presence of online media.

We follow Rose, who works as a publishing assistant at a dying traditional media magazine. This role offers her a realistic look at how "unglamorous" life in the spotlight can be, but it doesn't stop her from wanting to be part of this "exclusive" group. After a work event leads to a troubling encounter with superstar Milo Jax, Rose wakes up the next morning with fragmented memories and a haunting sense of something gone terribly wrong. As she grapples with the aftermath of her final interaction with a man adored by the world, Rose's professional and personal lives become increasingly complicated.

Rose is an unfortunately relatable character for women everywhere, something that Petter captures poignantly. The novel explores celebrity culture and the impact of our interactions with it through themes of obsession, control, manipulation, entitlement, and the harsh realities of living in the limelight. The fast-paced narrative is at times messy, truly indicative of Rose's mental state, resulting in a harrowing story with no neat resolution.

The more I think about this book, the more I love it. I absolutely recommend you pick this up as it's being published today!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC.

A good book that explored the impact of men’s actions on women’s feelings, and how situations can’t be interpreted differently depending on who views it. Whilst I personally thought the book could have been shorter, it was impactful, and I would recommend to others.

Rose works in PR. After meeting Milo, a famous singer, at one of her events, a brief drunken encounter leads to her waking up one morning questioning exactly what happened.

This would not be my typical kind of book to read, but the synopsis of it drew me in. It is essentially a story about consent. It is thought-provoking, sad, and infuriating at times... But above all else, it is a book that any woman is going to be able to relate to. It is a compelling read and a wonderful debut novel. I highly recommend it, even if like me, it wouldn't be your usual type of book. I particularly think it would be a wonderful option for a book club.

Thank you to NetGalley, 4th Estate, and William Collins, for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel, set in a time before the #MeToo movement, offers a keenly observed narrative that touches upon nepotism, the rise of influencers and the overwhelming presence of online media.

When Minnie confronts Rose about Milo’s true nature, Rose is forced to confront her own perceptions and the reality of that night with Milo. Her growing relationship with Clara further reveals that despite her outward success, Rose's personal life is far more troubled than it appears.

The depiction of the disastrous hen party is a stand out part for me - it’s vivid, capturing the awkwardness and discomfort that everyone endures in an effort to seem like they're enjoying the festivities for the bride's sake.

Gold Rush examines the grim realities of fame and the aftermath for those left in its wake. It scrutinizes celebrity culture and the heavy costs associated with it. Rose's silence in the face of Milo's fame highlights the pressures and constraints within her social circle.

This contemporary novel is often an uncomfortable read, yet it addresses critical issues of power and fame that are essential to discuss.

Was very much hooked on this book as soon as I started reading. Dealt with important themes of sexual assault, famous people and their lack of accountability, the aftermath of trauma and how it affects the people who experienced it and the people around them. I enjoyed this book.

Gold Rush

Rose awakes alone in her bedroom, naked and bleeding. She had spent the night with the current hottest man on the planet, musician Milo Jax. She remembers some of the evening’s events such as getting into a taxi with Milo but not everything.
Milo doesn’t respond to her emails or attempts to contact him and Rose tries to put it aside. But it continues to haunt her.
However, their two worlds will coincide as she works in PR at Firehouse HQ and deals with the famous and those clinging determinedly to its coat tails. She has little sympathy for some celebrities and her wry observations on them bring humour to the narrative. Rose knows that she is seen as an underling and Oliver, a co worker who apparently has celebrities at his fingertips seems to resent her. But her boss, Minnie is supportive,
Rose’s world is one of cut throat social media influencers and the celebrities of the moment. Gold Rush is set in 2017 and Firehouse HQ is a print media empire as the internet begins to bite. However, it is about to launch a digital publication called ‘StandFirst’ and Rose is soon caught up in cajoling a top influencer, Clara, to walk on the cat walk at the launch party while fending off hints about her night with Milo.
Slowly she begins to accept that her night with Milo was ‘never an invitation at all….she would always be turned away….’ But however hard she tries to put out of her mind, Rose still suffers from its effects and as the night of the party approaches she realises that their paths will be crossing again….
This was a sharply observed novel and was set in a period prior to the #MeToo movement which is referenced at the very end. Roses has to deal with nepotism, the rise of influencers and the domination of online media.
The hen party from hell was really well described in all its cringemaking, uncomfortable glory. After all everyone wants to be a good sport and appear to be having a good time for the bride.
But when Minnie calls out Milo’s behaviour to Rose for what it really is, Rose begins to flounder and starts to acknowledge what the night with Milo was really about. And, as she gets to know Clara, Rose realises that, although, she has a successful life, her actual life situation is much darker.
Gold Rush explores fame’s darker side and the people who have to pick up the pieces afterwards. It also delves into celebrity culture and the price that is put on it. Rose stays silent because of Milo’s fame and the world in which she moves in.
This was a very contemporary novel and an uncomfortable read in many places in the narrative. But it was a story of power and fame that needed to be told.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

A well written fast paced book about celebrity culture. The book deals with the themes of obsession control, manipulation, entitlement and consent. A very powerful book which at times makes uncomfortable reading. Well depicted characters who live their lives in the limelight. A sad indictment of our society but a book that is worth reading and discussing. There is humour despite the dark themes.

This book really highlights the difference between the perception and reality of celebrity and the successful influencer life. It was such an uncomfortable but engrossing read, a tale that felt like it could happen to any of us. Rose is just like you and your friends - she has a seemingly glamorous job in PR but that isn't her life. She lives with a rich friend, paying a small rent to be in a nice place, giving her a sense of imbalance and a feeling that she should always be grateful and not rock the boat. She eats pasta in front of reality TV, has a sometimes fractious relationship with her mum, and attempts to navigate the politics of her workplace...all so familiar. She is starting to see the shine of the celebrity world fade the longer she is around it but she still enjoys her work and the perks that come with it. Then something terrible happens. The ripple effects of that one night are as huge as you would expect them to be, Rose's mental health shatters and Olivia Petter takes us along to witness it first hand. The writing is amazing, it's haphazard and messy, lurching from one scene to another which captures what must be going on in Rose's head so well. The casualness with which sexism and abuse of power is shown really paints a depressing picture of an industry that is built on facades and power imbalances.
Showing the other side of this picture in a sub-plot about an influencer who appears to have it all, people falling over themselves to give her free clothes, shoes, food, invites to all the best parties, and the perceived power to control her life fully, is a genius move that really hammers home how entrenched the patriarchy is in society.
Without giving away any spoilers I will say that this book doesn't have a tidy ending that resolves all the threads and gives the reader closure...and it is all the better for it. Life doesn't work that way, resolutions aren't guaranteed. I just hope Rose found a way to achieve peace.

Ohhh this was so good!

It delves into the world of showbiz, celebrity culture and consent, as the main character Rose spends the night with one of the most sought after celebrities. But not is all as it seems and she can’t remember what happened, until she starts to piece it all together, bit by terrifying bit.

There were some powerful quotes in this which I’ve highlighted below and if they don’t convince you to read this then I don’t know what will…

“We treat them like superior beings. Like they transcend humanity purely because they can…we give them a power they don’t deserve”

“He has an actual physical mark. He has evidence.”

“I have memories, which means I have nothing.”

“I just wish he had hit me…because then I’d have evidence too. Something to show people so that they would believe me”