There are times when you pick up a book, read the blurb and think you have a general idea of what the book is going to be about. That is what I felt when I picked up The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth. Even though I had an idea of what had happened, I really enjoyed how the author got to the climax of the story. Who was "The Good Sister" , Rose or Fern? Fern has sensory issues, and as a mom of a son who also had sensory issues, (and still does with loud noises) I totally understood Fern. Rose takes care of Fern and helps her with those issues, or does she? Like I said the plot was pretty easy to figure out, but how the author gets you to who was really the good sister, made for a great book. This book was really a fast, easy read and really written well. The author did her research as far as sensory issues goes and that made this book even better. I can't wait to read her backlist now!! 4⭐

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Sally Hepworth for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Good Sister is an intriguing story of fraternal twins Rose and Fern, Fern is neuro atypical, while Rose is neuro typical. A story unfolds about the way these two sisters have been dependent on each other from the time they were little, due to their unwell mother, and now as Rose wants nothing but to repair her fractured marriage by having a child to raise with her estranged husband, despite being infertile, and Fern, always relying on her sister, tries to figure out how she can help. This story is a very well written mystery about how things seem depending on who is telling the story and whether they can be considered a reliable narrator.

Rose and Fern are age 27 and twins. Their father left years ago and their mother, a very cruel and unstable woman, raised them, leaving them scarred. Rose is married to Owen and wants desperately to have a baby. However, she has medical problems that appear she will never be able to have children.

Fern works as a librarian and loves what she does. She reads a lot and is always happy to recommend books to patrons and to also simply sit on the floor and read to children. However, she draws the line at trying to help patrons with the copying machine. While Fern is an intelligent woman, she has sensory processing issues which makes her hypersensitive to sound, light, touch, and smell.

Rose and Fern live in Australia, Currently, Rose’s husband is in London for a job. Rose is a good homemaker and Fern has dinner with her 3 times a week. Rose knows of Fern’s limitations and tends to be very protective of her. So when Fern meets a man she calls Wally because of the hat he wears, she doesn’t realize he is really Rocco Ryan, s very wealthy computer app entrepreneur.

While Fern is flawed, Rocco is as well. But they begin a friendship that to others may seem weird, but works for them. But there is something in Fern’s past that continues to haunt her and she feels she could never have a real relationship with someone. That is, until something happens.

Enough with the spoilers. I hope I have tantalized readers here and not given away too much. Suffice to say, Sally Hepworth has once again written a wonderful, edge-of-the-seat book that will draw readers in and not let them go until the very last page. I loved Fern and Wally so much. Don’t miss the very ending because it’s jaw-dropping. No peeking!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4.5 Are You Sure Stars
* * * * 1/2 Stars Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Years ago, I was involved in employment, placing people in positions for short and long-term jobs. It was always important to understand what exactly was expected and also be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate chosen for the spots. Most of the time things would work out well and many candidates ended up have the opportunity they wanted with the companies they desired.

But once in a while, there could be a hiccup, a situation where the candidate wasn't a good fit or didn't adhere to the brief given. It was during these times I would have to see what was up and I felt there were always "Three Sides" to every story. The Candidate's, The Employer's, and The Overview.

The Good Sister is just that. This was a delight in the framework, the execution, and the outcome. All of it is there for you to discover. All sides are represented. One side is waving frantically, look over here, while another keeps doing what it does, and the end will come what may.

It is up to you to see all sides and delight in them all.

A big Thank You to @Netgalley and @stmartinspress for the free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book thinking this was going to be another typical domestic thriller. Boy, was I wrong!!

Fraternal twins Rose and Fern are as different as night and day. Fern is very free-spirited, but lives with a sensory perception disorder. Rose is the responsible, married one, who always protected Fern from their sociopathic mother. She even protected her when they were twelve, when Fern did something horrible.

One day Fern happens to find a bottle of Prenatal vitamins at her Rose's house and decides to make it her mission to have a baby as a surrogate mother for her.

The characters were very well written with the secrets that they carefully hid.

I liked that we get both POV's of the sisters and how interwoven their stories become.

I also liked the relationship between Fern and "Wally," and how genuine they were to each other. They seemed to understand each other better than anyone they knew.

This was the first Sally Hepworth novel that I read. I know that this will not be my last!!

I have really enjoyed every Sally Hepworth book I’ve read - she’s a compulsively readable writer for me. The Good Sister was no exception, I finished it in one day, however it wasn’t my all time favorite by Hepworth probably because it makes use of a tactic I find really frustrating in books: when the plot is moved along almost entirely because of a stubborn unwillingness to just have a conversation with the other side. It would be SO easy to resolve. And yet hundreds of pages of one or both main characters just refusing to call or text the other person to clear up the central issue in a story. So there was that here. But I thought the dynamic between the sisters was creepy and interesting and Fern was a likably quirky character, she charmed me. I will continue to read Sally Hepworth I am sure with a lot of anticipation and pleasure. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to give this book my honest review!

This one is so hard to rate because I LOVED it. But I don't think it's a thriller. But I am giving it five stars because that doesn't bother me and I still loved it.

This reminded me so much of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and that's one of my all time favorite books.

I did figure it out by like twenty precent in but again it didn't bother me because it was just simply fantastic.

I just kept wanting to know more about Fern and Rose as well but mostly Fern. I loved her character and Rocco/Wally as well.

I wasn't shocked by the twist because I had figured it out but I think the standout of this novel is just the character of Fern. The thriller aspect kind of takes a back seat and you don't even care because you are so invested in the characters. 

I honestly cannot wait to read more by her. I have The Mother-in-Law on my shelf so it will definitely be moving up my list!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC.

The Good Sister introduces us to Fern and Rose, twin sisters who could not be more different. Each had a POV, with Rose’s including the present and a sad recounting of her take on the past growing up with a single mother. Fern’s was very different. It became obvious early on she is on the spectrum in some way, and her quirky outlook was refreshing and endearing! She had me laughing out loud so many times! I loved her from the very start. However, Rose’s diary chapters were very different, serious, and it soon became apparent something wasn’t quite right with the entire situation.

Rose longs for a baby and apparently can’t have one so when Fern finds this out, she determines to help her sister out by having one for her. She’s presented with a candidate for her endeavor almost immediately when she meets “Wally”. However, her plans for her sister get forgotten as she experiences life with Wally and starts to fall for him. Seeing Fern and Wally fall for each other was a treat and sometimes quite hilarious!

Rose and Fern are close with Rose constantly looking out for Fern and Fern relying on Rose for guidance, but as I said as the story progresses a sinister edge starts to emerge, and the tension slowly builds into a nail-biting crescendo!

I could not put this story down and ended up reading/listening to it in one day, because I had to know what was going to happen and I needed answers! The story was riveting, and I was on the edge of my seat! The Good Sister had a little bit of everything I love: romance, humor, mystery and danger. I will definitely be looking for more by Salley Hepworth!

The narration was fantastic! Barrie Kreinik had such a lovely accent, and I especially loved her performance of Fern. So matter of fact, which was exactly Fern’s personality, but her performance of Rose and the male voices were wonderful, too.

First time I've read the work of this author - definitely won't be my last!

Well written thriller exploring the closest relationship - that of twins. How could it be better than to have a ready made best friend - someone who loves you unconditionally, takes care of you and makes life perfect?

This story twists and turns - has you hating the mom - then one sister - then the other. The ending was perfect.

This book was so wonderful and yet so hard to read in places. I loved the way Hepworth told the story through Fern, Rose and Rose's diary. She did a great job pulling it all together and making you think you are getting a clear picture of what is going on.

Many characters in the book are so easy to love and the book dives into so many issues that people can have without being teachy or in your face about it.

The reason this book was hard to read in places was because I truly hated one character so much that at times I didn't want to read about her. With that said though, the fact that I could have such strong opinions about a character means the author is good!

This is my first Sally Hepworth book, but it won't be my last!

Thank you Netgally for giving me the chance to read this book for my honest opinion.

Fern and Rose are twins. But they are as different as night and day. Rose is plump, married and has a job that demands a large portion of her life. Fern on the other hand, is tall, slender and has sensory issues, bordering on autism. She lives on her own, but depends on Rose when life becomes too overwhelming to handle or when she forgets to close the front door when she leaves the house. Fern works at the local library, loving the routine that is essential to her well-being. She meets an interesting man whom she instantly calls Wally due to his hat that resembles the one that is worn by a character in a children’s book. They soon begin a relationship of sorts.

The reader learns from the journal Rose keeps that the girls have a dark past. She writes of the way her substance abusing mother treated the girls. The trauma of the mother who changed moods like her shoes and mistreatment of Fern and Rose is well outlined. She can no longer hurt them, but what’s done is done and it has deeply changed both of the girls forever. But Rose is determined to keep Fern out of trouble by taking charge as if Fern is her daughter, not her twin.

Watching one sister thrive and the other spiraling downward is interestingly portrayed by the author. The characters ebb and flow with and against each other throughout the pages. The anguish is palpable and further deepens an already complex plot. Conversely, the story is easy to read. It is perfection. There is a twist at the end that I did not anticipate, elevating this book to another level. As someone who reads many books, this one will stand out in my mind for a long time.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Hepworth, but will not be the last. Based in Melbourne, Australia, she has written four previous books. The Secrets of Midwives, in 2015 is her best-selling novel. I daresay The Good Sister is destined to become a best-seller as well.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2021 Laura Hartman

The Good Sister turned out to be even better than I expected. Fraternal twins Rose and Fern could not be more different. Fern is quiet, sensitive to lights and sound and keeps to her routine to maintain her life. She religiously has dinner with her sister Rose three nights a week. Rose is married, has a career and does everything she can to help Fern. The only thing Rose seems unable to do is have a baby. Fern finally feels there is something to do for Rose – she can have a baby and give it to Rose! Sounds simple from Fern’s perspective. There is so much more depth to this story and these characters. Narrated by both Fern and Rose this book will keep you reading to the shocking end! I highly recommend this psychological thriller.

Also reviewed on B&N (1IrishEyes430) and Kobo (IrishEyes430)

Fantastic read! Loved the layers of this book – the different perspectives of both Rose and Fern were such a fascinating way to unravel the truth of their lives and bond. I find that sometimes with books told from two perspectives that I look forward to one significantly more than the other, but both here were well written and interesting. It sucked me in immediately and kept me guessing throughout – highly recommend!

Fern and Rose are twin sisters who are complete opposites of each other. They have had a difficult childhood with their mother but they have always looked out for each other.

This book is told in two POVs and while reading, you really start to root for one of the sisters.

I don’t want to give anything away, but things are not always as they seem. This book had twists and turns that kept the story interesting and kept me invested in what would happen next.

*Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book via NetGalley

*I was given an eARC of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.*

I don't remember if I've read one of Hepworth's books before, but after this one I know for sure I will be reading more. I could not put "The Good Sister" down. I was intrigued from the beginning, when the main character is talking about the very bad thing she did as a child. Throw in an abusive mother and a main character who's a librarian who clearly suffers from some form of Aspberger's, and I was hooked. The story doesn't quite let you know which sister is the "good" sister until about 2/3 of the way in, but I had my suspicions. It was one of those where I knew things were going to go wrong, but I was still rooting for them to go right. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of slow burning thrillers, or if you want a good book that touches on complicated sibling relationships.

*The Good Sister was published on 4/13/2021, so it is available for purchase.*

So I was definitely expecting a thriller - don't do that. This is a family drama, and an excellent one at that. I loved the portrayal of Fern and Waldo

‘People without sisters think it’s all sunshine and lollipops or all blood and guts. But actually it’s always both. Sunshine and guts. Lollipops and blood. Good and bad. The bad is as essential to the relationship as the good. Maybe the bad is even more important, because that’s what ties you together.’

I enjoyed this. It really wasn’t what I was expecting. I was expecting sinister and dark so I was pleasantly surprised at how humorous it was. There are instances of emotional and physical abuse, however, they were not overdone and relevant to the story. I would describe this as more of a light suspense than thriller. Many more characters to love in this... especially Fern. Nice, easy read that will actually leave you feeling good. 4 stars.

The Good Sister is an absolutely enthralling domestic drama between sisters that will captivate you throughout the entirety of the story. Sally Hepworth is a go-to author for me. . She consistently writes thought-provoking fiction that provides in-depth examination of the characters lives, personalities and psyches, set within plots that deal with provocative topics. Additionally her stories also contain a gripping mystery that while not necessarily at the forefront of the plot, is pivotal to the storyline.

In The Good Sister, Fern and Rose are fraternal twins who are exceptionally close. They are each other’s “person”; the one you can tell anything to and go to for an emergency. The person who understands you best and always has your back. But both girls also share a troubled past and struggle with personal limitations. One sister has a sensory processing disorder and one who has diabetes, one wants a baby, and one doesn’t, but can provide one. Life hasn’t been easy for these girls and though the two are remarkably close, their lives intertwined,, what they thought of as a life line for one another, may instead be a noose.

I found the sisters lives and interactions with one another fascinating, the plot captivating and the story entrancing. Sally Hepworth’s stories are always well-written and more true fiction with an element of mystery, rather than straight-up thriller. I really enjoy her unique offering to this genre. I highly recommend this book and any of Sally Hepworth’s stories.

Riveting book I didn't want to put down! Rose and Fern share a birthday, but their personalities, appearance and memories of their childhood are vastly different. I couldn't wait to find out what exactly happened that day in the water.
I also appreciated the author's treatment of sensory processing disorder. My son has this condition, and I saw him as I read Fern's experiences.
I'd classify "The Good Sister" as a cozy mystery with a good dose of humor, but it's also dark and troubling with some sexual content, profanity and references to infertility. However, I recommend it to anyone with a sister or best friend!

I was completely hooked so quickly with this book - WOW! That takes talent to be able to open a book and capture the reader’s complete attention like this one did! My favorite books are those about families and their relationships with each other, especially when there are some “good” psychological drama and twists involved. I knew within the first page that this book was going to be one that I would gobble up eagerly, and I was right.

There are layers and layers of psychological elements in this book and I would love to dissect and discuss them all. I was fascinated and intrigued, and I could not get enough of all of it, especially of Fern. I adored this character right from the start. I love her attitude, her quirkiness, her naïveté, her personality. I can completely envision her wearing swimming goggles and oversized headphones and love it, especially when she knows others are talking to her and she just stares at them, or when she not only wears them on her date but her date does, too. Swoon! The author captured the high functioning personality to a “T” with this literal and hypersensitive character. I just want to protect her from this confusing world.

The author also demonstrated immense creativity with the twists in this book! I did not guess correctly at what would happen or even the development of the characters themselves, I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled!

I flew through this book and loved every single page. I loved it!