The Good Sister is the third book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth and now it’s also the third five star review I’ve written on those books. There is just something about these thrillers that have drawn me into the story immediately and just won’t let go until the last page has been read.

This story is about two sisters that are complete opposites but they have always only had each other bringing them extremely close together. Rose is the practical in control sister that has always protected Fern who has her peculiarities seeming to fall on the autism spectrum. As children though Rose just knew she needed to protect her sister from their abusive and neglectful mother.

Now as adults though Fern does live on her own and work a job she loves in the local library with everyone around her being used to her eccentric nature. Rose has married and is wanting to have a child now of her own but she’s been struggling. Fern thinks this is finally time she can do something for the sister that has looked out for her and have a baby herself to give to Rose.

Immediately when reading this one I found myself having a huge soft spot for Fern and her unique way of seeing the world and existing in it. Sally Hepworth did a wonderful job bringing Fern to life and writing about her quirks but then again she does a wonderful job with all of her characters which is one of the biggest reasons I fall in love with her stories. The book moves at a perfect pace building the tension and giving the reader the backstory here and there to solidify the girls personalities and it becomes incredibly hard to put it down just anticipating the next twist coming along. After three winners in a row I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a good contemporary mystery/thriller involving the relationship between twin sisters, one who seems to have it all, and the other with apparent mental health issues that needs to be cared for and sheltered.

Rose is married and yearns for a child. She spends much of her time looking out for her twin sister Fern, as she's done their whole lives. According to Rose, she's needed to do that because of their narcissistic mother who mistreated them. Fern has a different memory of their mother and childhood, but with her anxiety and limitations, can her memory really be trusted? When Rose leaves to visit her husband who is working out of town, Fern tastes some unexpected independence and discovers that she is much more capable that she thought she could be. After she takes steps to help Fern have the baby she's longed for, Fern's world starts to change and she becomes more aware of the secrets Rose has been keeping from her.

I enjoyed reading this book. It's told in alternating chapters between Fern and Rose's diary entries. The book is evenly paced and the author does a really good job of slowly putting the edges of the puzzle together. As the story progresses, the author adds more and more pieces until the reader can see the full picture at the end. While I had my suspicions as to what the twins' secrets were, I enjoyed seeing how the author brought them out in the story. Throughout the book you got the sense that there was at least one unreliable narrator, but the author kept you guessing as to which character it was. If you're looking for a quiet, but entertaining mystery/thriller, this book is just the ticket. I recommend you read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Sally Hepworth and I’ll be picking up another in the very near future. I was drawn in by the characters right away. I could not get enough of Fern’s story and ended up not being able to up the book down. Some twists were expected, but there were also some I didn’t see coming.

RATING: 4 STARS
2021; St. Martin's Press (MacMillan Audio)

This is my second book by Sally Hepworth, both on audio, and I have added her backlist to my TBR. It appears she writes more than one type of genre - in this case domestic suspense. This is always exciting to see because sometimes the author can only write one genre, or readers cannot see them writing beyond what they love. I will update you what I think once I get to her backlist - if you want to know. The Good Sister was an interesting book. There were so many diverse and unique storylines that some of the standards of domestic suspense seemed more exciting. I love Fern. From the moment we get her point of view - it goes between her and her fraternal twin sister, Rose's point of view - I loved her. I was invested full on to this story when we discover she works at public library. This novel takes place in Australia, so there are some differences to how libraries are, in Canada at least. To be quite honest, I wasn't even into Rose's storyline other than she was tied to the mystery. I found Fern and Wally/Rocco's storyline so well done, just like how Fern is portrayed. I don't want to say too much in case something is spoiler, so I will just say, add this to your summer reading list! This is a great read with some sunshine and wine.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I have greatly enjoyed every Sally Hepworth book I have read, and this one was no exception! This book was captivating from the very beginning, and held my attention throughout. Fern was such a captivating character, and I loved reading about her interesting interactions with her sister Rose. These two girls are so different in so many ways, and the "twist" was one that I didn't see coming. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this entertaining book!

The Mother-in-Law and now The Good Sister have established Sally Hepworth as a leading author of domestic mystery and suspense. Not only does she develop complex characters that you believe you know and understand and then you don't, she also develops story lines that you believe you know where they are headed, and then you don't. Rose and Fern are alternate narrators and fraternal twins with different health issues, different personalities and different relationships with their mother. And then there is Wally, one of the most endearing characters I doubt I will ever forget. I thank Net Galley for a copy in exchange for a honest review.

#TheGood Sister#NetGalley

Another wonderful, exciting and twisty book by Sally Hepworth! I have read all her books, and wait with great anticipation for her next publication! The Good Sister is a book that keeps you guessing until the last page! Characters that seem to come off the page and a great plot results in a stay up all night page turner!!
I highly recommend this book to those who love domestic psychological thrillers!!
Thanks to NetGalley andbSally Hepworth for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Good Sister!

I'm still a little unsure about what I think with this one. On the one hand, the concept was interesting, but on the other, I found that it wasn't very well executed. In my opinion, this wasn't a thriller, but more of a family drama with a fairly predictable storyline that it felt like I'd read before.

WOW... Just WOW!!

As a first time reader of Sally Hepworth I was not disappointed. Definitely an Author to add to my read list! She had be from the very first page all the way down to the last!! I love me a good thriller and this one does not do you wrong!

5/5 Stars

This is the story of fern and rose sisters that couldn’t be more different I loved the storyline and characters

Like most twin sisters, Rose and Fern have a strong bond. Rose has a strong personality while Fern grapples with sensory issues and maneuvering societal norms. Rose makes the decisions while Fern simply and without much thought goes along with them... until she starts to wonder, why do I do that? Am I capable of deciding what's right for me?

The first half or so of this story read like Women's Fiction so at one point, I doublechecked the genre and yup, it said thriller. Even though I enjoyed finding out more about the sisters (and especially loved Fern's quirky personality) and their childhood, I was anxious for the story to get to the good part. This one was a slow burn for me with the suspense building little by little as I wondered and tried to guess where the story was heading. As in, there HAS to be more to this story, but what is it? Which sister is steering the narrative, and in which direction? If you're like me and took a break from thrillers during the Covid-19 pandemic, then this is the perfect "light" thriller to ease you back into them!

I enjoyed reading this book and stayed up late at night to finish it, unable to put it down. Twin sisters with an interesting childhood. Their mother in a nursing home. Both have different memories of their childhood, which one is true? Fern meets what she thinks is a homeless person at the library where she works and this leads to a series of events that affect both sisters. The plot was slightly familiar with regard to the diary etc. but still a very good page turner.

So it seems as though Sally Hepworth can write a thriller just as well as she can a contemporary story. This book is about two sisters, Rose and Fern. We get Fern's POV in the present and we get Rose's journal entries that go back and forth to her childhood with Fern and her mother to the present. I was captivated with the story from the beginning. Fern seemed to have Asperger's syndrome - she was very sensitive to light and sound and touch and she was utterly devoted to her sister and it seemed as though Rose was devoted to Fern as well.

As the story goes on though, we start to question which sister can be trusted. I couldn't help but root for Fern, but I also wondered if she was dangerous. And I couldn't help but wonder whether Rose was the amazing sister that she appeared to be.

This book was full of twists and turns and was amazing from beginning to the very last page. So amazing!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Hepworth and St. Martin's Press for a complimentary digital ARC for an honest review.

Being a twin myself, I always look forward to any books that explore the connections that twin's have. The story was told from the different points of view of Fern and Rose. Due to a rocky childhood, they are very close and very dependant on each other. However, Fern is more dependant on Rose, who always seems to be looking out for her. Gradually, we learn what actually happened with Billy and how it affected them until the present time.

The story was a page-turner with well-developed characters. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

#NetGalley #TheGoodSister

“People without sisters think it’s all sunshine and lollipops or all blood and guts. But actually it’s both. Good and bad. The bad is as essential to the relationship as the good.”

This was a quick, interesting read. The characters are complex and well developed. The plot moved along at a good pace, with a couple of shockers thrown in. The relationship between Feen and Rose was both sweet and disturbing. I enjoyed that the story was told from both sister’s point of view. Fern’s sensory sensitivities added a unique element to the story.

Thank you Sally Hepworth, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
#TheGoodSister #NetGalley.

Review will be posted on 5/18/2021

Rose and Fern Castle are fraternal twins, but they aren't very alike. While Rose is more put together, Fern marches to the beat of her own drum. Fern has sensory processing issues that can sometimes be debilitating and dictate her life, so in turn, Fern has her life planned out to avoid any triggers. While working at the library, she has found her place where she is accepted and can excel. Rose, while outwardly seems settled, she struggles inwardly with her anger towards her mother and their upsetting childhood. Rose and Fern are extremely codependent on each other. Rose mothers Fern and Fern depends on Rose to help her in most things. Rose is unable to have a child, so Fern thinks she can be the one to carry a baby for her in order to show her thanks after all she has done for her. Fern's idea becomes a reality when she meets a guy at the library and they hit it off. However, things get really complicated as more secrets are uncovered and more truths are questions. Sally Hepworth's domestic thriller, The Good Sister, is an addicting story about two sisters, their loyalty to each other, and family secrets that could tear them apart.

I immediately thought Fern was a very compelling character in The Good Sister. Hepworth does a brilliant job portraying someone dealing with sensory issues or perhaps someone who is on the spectrum. Fern is quirky, can be brutally honest, but also doesn't pick up on social cues. These characteristics made for an interesting main character. I loved Fern's dedication to the library and her ability to get others to enjoy reading. However, I didn't always love her relationship with her sister. Rose is very controlling of Fern and I am not sure it is warranted. Rose holds this secret over Fern about something that happened years ago and due to this, Fern feel like she can't trust herself. This makes Fern reliant on Rose in an unhealthy way.

Every other chapter or so in The Good Sister has an entry from Rose's journal that mainly fills in the blanks about childhood memories. Rose dealt with major issues, as well as their mother's upsetting behavior, and experienced all this very differently than Fern. I felt badly for Rose, because their mother was manipulative and was an all-around horrible person, according to the diary entries, and treated Rose poorly. However, as readers learn more about Rose, I kept wondering if her journal entries were entirely accurate. Then I wondered if Fern was a reliable narrator as well? Are Rose's memories a twisted view of reality?

Fans of domestic thrillers and psychological thrillers will enjoy this tale of family secrets that left me questioning just about everything. But don't worry! Slowly Hepworth reveals the truth and it kept me turning the pages! If that's your kind of story, then The Good Sister would be a fantastic book to throw in your beach bag this summer!

Are you a fan of Sally Hepworth? Did you read The Good Sister? Is it on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.

Who doesn’t enjoy a good story about twins? Readers can tell that sisters Rose and Fern are quite intertwined just from their names. They grew up in Australia where each experienced parental abuse. How has this impacted Fern and Rose? What will happen when Fern wants to get pregnant to give her sister Rose the baby that Rose cannot have? Domestic suspense readers know that a lot will transpire in this novel told by unreliable narrators. If this is your cup of tea, definitely worth it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
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This one was a solid thriller, I love her books and she’s a very reliable author. I would recommend this to thriller fans.

I've got to admit, I wasn't a fan of this at first. I didn't like Fern's weirdness or the way she spoke but I quickly fell in love with her and especially Wally. I've got to admit, I was a bit shocked as the twists started happening, too. But can it really be that far off? Probably not. People will do some crazy things and when you love someone, you don't always see it!

The dynamic between Fern and Rose was definitely something. After knowing what I know now, it made me wonder how many little bits I missed or didn't question in the beginning half. I just took her word for it! But like Wally realized, something just doesn't seem right here.

What an amazing story, seriously. I knew I would love it because it was a Sally Hepworth novel and she never let's you down, but I was shocked at how much I loved it after Fern didn't initially catch me eye from the getgo. I wasn't expecting to love her the way that I did and to care about her and her emotions, no matter how blank they initially seemed. Hepworth did a great job peronating someone with sensory issues and trouble understanding the world, as it is.

Wow. Just wow. This book totally blew me away! If your looking for a book that you will stay up all night to finish - this is it! Two sisters who have found many similarities and many differences as twins. Sisters will do anything for each other won't they? This family drama thriller will leave you wanting more! Thank you to the publisher and author for my ARC copy. ( possibly my 2nd review as one was posted!)