Fern and Rose are fraternal twins but completely different from one another.Rose is married and desperate for a child while Fern lives alone and works at the local library, in an ordered and structured manner. Fern has sensory-processing issues, and is hypersensitive to sound, lights, touch and smell and Rose has looked after Fern all her life. When Rose discovers that she cannot fall pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay Rose back by having a baby for her , but things soon start spiraling out of control when Rose’s protectiveness turns into obsession

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is told from two POVs, Rose through her journal, and Fern in the present. A well-written ,character driven domestic thriller with some twists and turns it made for an engaging unputdownable read.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

3.75 stars

This was an addictive read. I sat down to start it earlier today and just finished it. It was not your typical domestic literary thriller as it involved an interesting portrayal of ASD.

It focused on fraternal twin sisters Fern and Rose. Fern has sensory processing issues and her character was the star of the show, so to speak. She would get easily confused by others’ abstract language and avoided loud bright places like the plague. There were numerous times I laughed out loud as there were some comical interactions involving her character. Rose was the “normal” twin who always stepped in to protect Fern from their sociopathic mother while growing up. As adults, the two have a symbiotic relationship, with few boundaries between them. They were placed in foster care at 12 years old after their mother had an accident. They are each other’s “person.”

The plot was a slow burn that got tenser by the minute. It alternated perspectives between Fern and Rose. The sister dynamics provided a good psychological aspect.The ending wasn’t so much a reveal or twist but rather a resolution. It summed everything up nicely, which I had already deduced by that point. It is definitely worth a read and will most likely have you hooked from the start.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am at a loss about what to make of this book. I almost wish it wasn't pegged as a "mystery" or "suspense." The characters were capable of carrying a "family saga" type of novel, without ridiculous and predictable diversions into the past, informing future actions. A detail of abuse seemed out of place and jarring. The tone of the book was a bit all over the place - meant to be mysterious and foreboding, while also cheery and optimistic, sensitive (when considering Fern's life on the spectrum), and melancholic (all of the reflection on the past). I liked parts and found the book compulsively readable. However, I was left with a "meh" and a "wow that wrapped up nicely" at Hepworth's conclusion.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

Brief Summary: Rose and Fern are twins. Rose has always been Fern’s protector because she lives with intellectual disability and because their mother was an unstable addict. Like many sisters; they have a complex relationship. When Rose can’t conceive a baby; Fern sets out to have one to give her sister. When the stakes get high; the secrets of the past threaten to expose themselves. This is my fourth book by Sally Hepworth and having greatly enjoyed The Mother-In-Law and the Things We Keep, I was eager to read her latest.

Highlights: I absolutely loved Fern! She was laugh out loud funny at times. I thought Hepworth really nailed the thoughts and behaviors of someone with an intellectual disability. It was great to see a main character with an intellectual disability leading a high functioning life; working and pursuing a relationship.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5; Unfortunately, I read this novel during a really stressful time and it was hard to get sucked into until the very end. Please take this with a grain of salt; under other circumstances I may have finished this in two days. It is an easy to read domestic suspense novel.

Favorite Quotes: The library, Janet use to say is one of only a few places in the world that one doesn’t need to believe anything or buy anything to come inside….and it is the librarian’s job to look after all those who do.

She(Fern) had a gift for accepting life the way it was rather than questioning it. Some days-heck, every day-I envy her that.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Note to Publisher: I’m sorry this review is late. I was recently hospitalized for a GI Bleed.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is classic Hepworth, as it is book with a contemporary feel that turns into a thriller. The alternating perspectives and interesting plot lines make it a quick and enjoyable read. This is a thriller that I highly recommend.

The story is told from dual points of view. Twin sisters, Fern and Rose, present two sides of the story through the use of flashbacks to their childhood with a mix of present day. It is easy to understand their tight knit relationship and how things start to unravel.

❀ MANY INTERESTING CHARACTERS

There are many Interesting characters in the novel. Fern is an intriguing and lovable character who is easy to root for. She is an extremely intelligent librarian who has Asperger’s syndrome. As well there is Rose, an overprotective sister who is at times manipulative. It is fascinating to watch as the two sisters struggle with Fern’s increasing independence. Also, “Wally (aka Rocco),” Fern’s boyfriend is a vagabond of sorts who lives in a camper van and looks like Where’s Waldo, adds an element of humour to the narrative.

❀ FERN AND WALLY ARE A SWEET COUPLE

The relationship between Fern and “Wally” is really sweet. Wally is very supportive and helps Fern come up with ways to overcome some of her sensory issues. Not all of his ideas are winners, but it is so endearing to read about.

❀ A WILD RIDE

Early on in the book it is revealed that during their childhood, Fern did something really awful. As things start to unravel, the details become clear and the novel switches gears from family drama to thriller. It is quite a wild ride.

❀ MIND-WARPING

Fans of the author will enjoy this mind-warping thriller. The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a perfect book for a spring TBR. There is a little bit of everything in this story and the characters are fascinating.

What an interesting mystery/thriller! Sally Hepworth knows how to write these kinds of stories. This book was perfectly paced and I flew through this in a day. I will say that the plot twist is a fairly standard one for thrillers, but I was so engaged in the story that I didn’t mind.

I also enjoyed the autism rep in this since both “Wally” and Fern are autistic and their symptoms are very different, yet these characters compliment one another so well.

CW: grooming, pedophilia, sexual assault, murder

**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

Excellent book! I should have known this would be good by the author. I just listened to The Mother-In-Law, and that book was enthralling and suspenseful as well.
Fern and Rose are twins. Fern is not neurotypical, whereas Rose is. As we read Rose's diary we understand that Rose has always protected her sister from their violent mother. As we see the present through Fern's eyes, we get to see her world view. I really enjoyed Fern's character (who, in my mind, had the voice of Chummy, from Call the Midwife!). The ending is maybe a bit too well tied up, but I thought the storyline was well done and kept me interested the whole time.

The Good Sister had me guessing all the way until the end. The author did a great job gifting more and more information before revealing the reason for the title. While some things seemed a little too convenient, I really enjoyed the story!

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors. I was so excited to read her newest book, and I am so glad to say I loved this one! This domestic thriller was so good. This book is told in dual POVs between fraternal twin sisters. I loved seeing how different these sisters were.

I felt like this story was quite predictable, I knew what all the twists and turns were, but I still enjoyed it. I felt like the twists and turns really helped shape the story, and pulled it all together. I listened to it on audio, and I felt like it made the book even better. If you’re a fan of thrillers, I recommend checking this book out!

This book was phenomenal! I am a long-time fan of Hepworth, and her thrillers are top-notch. I can't wait to read this with a book club. I anticipate lots of lively discussion.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is a dual-perspective story told from the present day view of Fern and the diary pages of her twin, Rose. Fern has an undiagnosed sensory processing disorder, Rose has viewed herself as her caretaker since day one, guiding her to keep her safe. Fern believes she can finally pay Rose back for all she has given up for her, only as she reveals her gift she discovers that maybe Rose hasn't really been guiding her at all.

A twisted, methodical thriller that knocked my socks off without terrifying me completely. Rose and Fern are as twin sister as they come, continuing to live in the same town they grew up in and spending every free moment together. Fern doesn't have the ability to process that this is strange, not until a kind stranger enters her life and opens her eyes to the world she now wants to experience. Only, she has a plan to help her sister and her sister...she has a plan too. This one was messed up, the kind of messed up that I honestly would expect to see on TV, because it is that believable. Sally Hepworth takes us through the twins youth and daily adult lives, there's nothing really sinister going on, at least there isn't at the surface. As the cracks begin to show, The Good Sister turns into a thriller that makes you question just how good of a sister one of the twins really is.

I am a bit down about the fact that The Good Sister just wasn't as big of a win for me as it was for others. I guessed far too early on what was occurring and while I remained engaged, guessing it really took away the excitement of the read, dropping it to 4 stats for me. The story flows at a great pace, there's just enough information given to keep you hanging on, and I love that it wasn't a super amped up high energy thriller, this one felt plausible. I just needed a few more things kept in the dark.

I think The Good Sister is a fantastic read that thriller fans should absolutely pick up. It's not crazy fast paced, but even more so, it's not obscenely impossible. This could happen. This probably has happened! It's that kind of read, the kind that makes you think about it all.

This was a phenomenal thriller about family secrets and so much more.

Highly recommend this one !!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for fair and honest review.

Fern and Rose are fraternal twins that are different as night and day. Fern has sensory issues, meaning that you can't process bright lights, loud sounds, groups of people, etc. 

Rose, on the other hand, has been taking care of Fern since a very early age. In Rose's opinion, their mother was not good to them, and this caused things to happen in their lives that shaped them into the people they are today.

Because Rose has always taken care of Fern, Fern wants to give her sister what she wants: a baby. And that's where the trouble begins.

I really wanted to like this book, but at times it's like the novel couldn't decide if it was a thriller or just general fiction. There were certain aspects that wanted me to keep reading, but then some of the book was slower, prompting me to sludge along as a slow pace.

The ending was sort of satisfying, but not in a way that I think will be memorable. 

Was it readable? Yes. Was it "shout from the rooftops good"? Nope.

Moving along...

After reading The Mother in Law I knew I needed to read everything Sally Hepworth has/ever will write. While The Good Sister is not the typical thriller, I was glued to my Kindle trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Some of the twists were easy to see coming, I was drawn in by Fern and Wally and had to know how their story would end.

Rose and Fern are twins with a secret. Told in alternating POVs between Rose's diary and Fern's present day struggles you slowly piece together their childhood. I went into this one fairly blind and I believe that is what made it so good. I highly recommend this one to anyone that likes thrillers or is just trying to read a book that will suck you in from the first page.

The beauty of Net Galley is finding wonderful new authors and Sally Hepworth is a phenomenal author. This is my 2nd book I have read by her and it was truly captivating from the start. This is a tale of twin sisters, very different, one with a dark secret , both protective of one another no matter the consequences. It kept me riveted from page one to the end. I ignored the world while I happily was involved in this great suspenseful story. What a fun read !

This is a Net Galley read I highly recommend. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.
My review opinion is my own.

Sally Hepworth does it again! She is now an auto-buy author for me. What made this book unforgettable were characters Fern and Wally. Fern will most likely go down as one of my faves of the year. I couldn’t put this book down and devoured it in 24 hours. Very entertaining, only qualm was that it was very predictable. Can’t wait to read more by this author.

"Most people think of me as Fern's protector. But the truth is, in her own funny way, she's always been mine."

I think it would be interesting to get the perspective of both women who have sisters, and women who don't that read this book. Sister dynamics are all over the place depending on the situation. People have an idea of what they think is normal. But every pair of sisters has their own normal which may or may not be like anything you've ever heard of.

For instance, sisters can be extremely close. Close to the point that no one else can ever touch. Or the undercurrents so completely volatile that the deep-running resentment never goes away. This story explores all of that. It also gives us enjoyable characters in, really, the wackiest situation.

I'm definitely interested to see what else Ms. Hepworth can come up with!

When the book title is The Good Sister - not The Good Sisters, the reader is alerted to look deeply as the story unfolds. If one sister is good, is the other sister bad or better than the other?
Rose and Fern are biological twins. In almost every way passable they are opposites. Fern is a tall, blonde librarian who is on the spectrum. Oh is she ever. Rose is a plump, diabetic interior designer. She has dark hair and is Fern's protector. Fern lives in a small apartment near Rose.
The twins shared a stressful upbringing. As Rose revealed in her diary, life with her single drug addicted mother was mentally and physically abusive. And there was also the horrible secret. Rose had to protect Fern.
As events occur and others enter their lives, we begin to question: What if the sisters are not as they seem?
Hints along the way may lead you to suspect what the reality is. You will be led to a satisfactory conclusion but yes there are improbable moments and unusual individuals thrown in.
I received and advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #TheGoodSister

The Good Sister is truly remarkable...in that it is remarkable for the ending to be simultaneously utterly predictable and absolutely come out of nowhere. At the same time! Truly an incredible achievement.

The twists and turns this plot takes are a bit off the rails, and usually feel like they’re twisty for the sake of twists, rather than following any actual internal logic or pushing the plot in a comprehensible direction. Without spoilers, the conclusion had me rolling my eyes. It’s predictable and formulaic, and yet still somehow inconsistent? Like I said, a remarkable feat.

The characterization of both sisters, even Fern despite her being the main narrative voice of the story, seems one-dimensional. I’m not the right person to assess the representation of autism here (Fern isn't diagnosed, partly for plot-related reasons, but is pretty clearly on the spectrum, with a sensory processing disorder and difficulty interpreting social cues, among other traits), and whether or not it feels accurate to some readers’ experience beyond the stereotyping a lot of it felt like to me, but the fact that I can’t tell you much about who she is as a person beyond being neurodivergent is telling. To a large degree, her character seems to begin and end with this fact. And her difficulty with social cues and nuanced language seems to show up mostly when the plot requires it, like misunderstanding that the question "Is it safe?" during a sexual encounter isn't talking about, like, are we safe from robbers breaking into the apartment and shooting us; this isn't a confusing social cue or figurative speech issue, it's using her lack of social awareness as an excuse to propel the plot along and have her not tell the guy she's intending to get pregnant from this encounter, which is...problematic, to say the least.

Rose's character development is also weak, though more for spoiler-y reasons so I won't get as much into that, but overall, though Fern gets much more page time and thus sympathy, I didn't really care enough about either sister to engage me.

And ultimately, I have to care about something in a story, whether its characters, plot, or writing - and I couldn't bring myself to get all that invested in any of the three elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance review copy!

YOU GUYS. The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth was just amazing. I do feel as though it started just a little bit slow, and some of the "drops" in the beginning came out of nowhere, but I could not put it down once I hit the halfway mark. I stayed up way too late finishing it, and it was worth every minute. Well done, Ms. Hepworth!