Sally Hepworth's latest novel, The Good Sister, was, in my opinion, a big fat let down. While Hepworth has dominated the literary market with domestic dramas, she fell short in her foray into suspense. The notion of an evil family member has been done before (and much better!) by other authors. Let's break it down, shall we?

Rose and Fern are twin sisters, and like many twins, as different as can be. Rose has a loving husband and a burning desire to have a baby. Fern is the odd one out....working in a library full-time, with a quirky personality, many idiosyncracies, and few friends. Rose has always felt like she needed to protect Fern from their vicious mother, who seems to find joy in making Fern's life miserable. For a long time ago, Fern committed a terrible act, and Fern's mother has seemed bound and determined to make Fern pay. As Fern tries to appease her mother and sister, she comes up with the brilliant idea to help Rose achieve her goal of becoming a mother. If Fern becomes pregnant and gives the baby to Rose, surely Fern's mother will love her then?

However, as Fern progresses through the pregnancy, something does not seem right with Rose. What used to be involvement and protection has now segued into Rose becoming overly obsessed with Fern's life. Could it be that Rose herself might be hiding terrible secrets.....secrets that their mother might very well be aware of?

Spoiler Alert.....I found this book to be super predictable. The Good Sister....it becomes obvious fairly early on who the good sister actually is, and what direction the book is going in. I kept waiting for a twist, a la Hepworth, but it never came. I found myself left disappointed with the direction and outcome of the novel. This one can easily be skipped, and we will hope for better luck with Hepworth in the future.

AMAZING BOOK! The 2 main characters are so well developed, I was sad when it ended! This book is better if you go into it blind. The plot is told in alternating POVs between two fraternal twin sisters. That's all you need to know. Trust me, read this book if you enjoy thrillers!!

I really wanted to love this book based on the description, but it just didn't live up to expectations. The premise is great however there are too many unexplained gaps in the story. It often feels rushed and the twins seem more like secondary characters. While I enjoyed this author's previous work this one was disappointing.

This was a great book, it had me up late at night reading it. I really enjoyed how the author switched views from sister to sister. This was more than just a thriller, it was also a love story. A love story that is sweet and wholesome.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth.

Rose and Fern are twin sisters. Rose stepped up to the plate to watch over Fern when their mother overdosed on drugs. Fern has a sensory disorder and dealing with many situations is hard for her. She does have her own flat and she works as a librarian at the local library. This is where she met her person Wally aka Rocco. Rose is an interior and she is married to Owen. They seem to have a lavish life and want for nothing.

So, who is the good sister? Fern or Rose? The author will keep you guessing to the end. I have read all of this authors books and she never disappoints!

Man, I love Sally Hepworth's other book that I have read and this one was excellent too. She is really good at the twisted domestic thriller that pulls a family apart.

LOVE Sally Hepworth books & this one did not disappoint!

The chapters alternate between Rose & Fern, twin sisters who were raised by a single mom. In adulthood, Rose seems to have her life together with her love interest Owen; and Fern works at the library and lives alone. Fern also has many sensory issues and struggles with some Asperger tendencies. Because of this Fern has always relied heavily on Rose.

But when Fern starts dating a man she met at the library, Rose does not approve. How far will Rose go to make sure she gets what she wants? And has she ever had Fern’s best interest at heart?

The plot line was a little predictable but it was a great read! I loved Fern’s quirky character & enjoyed reading about her working in the library.

Thanks to NetGalley & St Martin’s Press for this awesome ARC! So good!

What an intriguing book that keeps you reading straight to the end! Fabulous balance of sweet and innocent, with an underlying sinister in the shadows. This book kept me up reading way past my bedtime.

4.5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it for any reader. This book incorporates multiple genres: family drama, love stories, mystery, thriller-ish, character driven with great layers and well-paced story development and unfolding of secrets. I was engaged in this one the whole way but the pace really picks up in the last few chapters.

The story is told through one sister's perspective in typical written narrative and the other sister's perspective through journal entries. This is a great book all around and I think readers of all genres will find plenty to enjoy. Heart, humor, mystery, drama, joy.

Everyone might think Fern and Rose are as close: Rose is responsible, with a home and a husband and wants to become a mother. Fern the free spirit.. But the sisters are devoted to one another.
Fern was protected by Rose because their mother was a sociopath who hid it from the world, and only Rose could see it. Fern always saw the good in everyone. A long time ago Fern did something very bad. Rose has never told anyone. When Fern decides to help her sister achieve her heart's desire of having a baby, Rose realizes with growing horror that Fern might make choices that can only have a terrible outcome. What Rose doesn't realize is that Fern is growing aware of the secrets Rose is keeping. And that their mother might have the last word.

Ceepy, compelling and very unpredictable, The Good Sister is about the ties that bind sisters together...and about the madness that lurks around. Kept me on my toes and couldn't out it down.

Sally Hepworth does not disappoint!

Rose and Fern are identical twins. Fern is quite sensitive to loud sounds, touch and the environment, so Rose has looked after her most of her life....especially since ‘the incident’.
Their mother hasn’t exactly been a great role model. Boyfriend after boyfriend, they were homeless at one point and now has been hospitalized for years after overdosing years ago.
When Fern meets Wally- she thinks she has finally met someone similar to her that she can be happy with.
But can Fern and Rose’s past stay hidden for the women to be happily ever after?

This book captured my attention pretty early on. I don’t know what it is with me and stories about twins. (I always think about PLL haha.) This was written from Fern’s point of view, and then you get Rose’s POV from her diary. I had some suspicions from the beginning and I was right in the end, but that didn’t take away from the book at all. There was definitely a twist or two I didn’t expect. This book touches on Asperger’s and people with certain sensitivities, and I think it was done really well. This is the writing I come to expect from Sally Hepworth and I am here for it.

Bottom Line: Read it! I flew through it because I wanted to see how it all turned out!

**I received a copy of The Good Sister from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Sally Hepworth does an extraordinary job getting inside the heads of twin sisters. Exploring the lies we tell ourselves and the ways those we trust the most can manipulate us.

Great psychological drama.

As a huge fan of Sally Hepworth, I always look for her books ! This is definitely a read you will NOT be able to walk away from. Twists abound with superb characterization.

Twins, Rose and Fern, are close. Both in their late 20's, Rose is married to Owen.. Fern has not even dated much. However, Owen has been (working?) in London for 3 months. Rose has fertility problems and is extremely frustrated that she is not yet pregnant .

Fern feels the need to pay Rose back from their childhood, days, together. How about a niece or nephew for Fern... And a baby for Rose?

Many Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a wonderful read!

This book really had it all. I giggled because parts made me giddy. I stayed up too late because it was suspenseful and really, what more can you ask for? Thank you netgalley, st.Martin’s and Sally Hepworth for early read. Really enjoyed this!

This book was absolutely incredible. I could not put it down!!! I fell in love with the characters (especially Fern!) I really loved the ending — just when I thought I had everything figured out... nope!!! Love that.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this.

I read this book in one day,. I couldn't put it down. I absolutely love Fern and Wally. I don't want to give anything away, but these 2 captured my heart very early on. They are smart, funny, quirky, and on the spectrum. They make this book, period. The story line is about twin sisters, Rose and Fern. Rose takes it upon herself to take over the care of Fern from the time they are small. She protects her from their mother and then from the world as they get older. Fern has no doubt her sister only wants what's best for her at all times even if she doesn't always understand Rose. This is a story about finding your independence, and becoming stronger in yourself, something I needed right now. Everyone else can see how amazing Fern is except herself, maybe Rose isn't the good sister Fern thinks she is. Maybe she has been manipulating Fern from the start or maybe it was their Mother. This story is twisty, funny, and so well written it just flows. Sally Hepworth is fast becoming a favorite author.

I have read a few of Sally Hepworth books and loved the suspense and the building of characters in her previous books. The Good Sister did NOT disappoint. I loved it and couldn't put it down. The dynamic of the relationship between the sisters is one that changes and builds and is absolute perfection. The addition of the character of Rocko/Wally adds the perfect spice. Last, the navigation of life by Rose and Fern is spellbinding and had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I honestly don't know what else to say because I would hate to accidentally put a spoiler but when this book gets released. Go get it!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth was the perfect distraction from the year 2020! In this book we meet two sister Fern and Rose. They had a crazy mother to deal with during their childhood, so Rose would always protect Fern. This carried into their adult years as well. From the outside these sisters look as close as can be, like any sisterhood should be. But as we learn more things aren't quite what they seem.

Sally took us on a wild and crazy ride with this one. I didn't want to stop reading until I could figure out what was going on with Fern and Rose, and to see if my predictions would hold. This book takes us behind the curtain on a dysfunctional sisterhood and we get to see how far one sister will go to keep up her charade.

If you are looking for an above average suspense/thriller make sure to grab this one and share it with your sister too!

Great character development! I enjoyed everything but the very end, which felt a little rushed or like an afterthought. Fun book to read, and I would read more by the author. Some typos along the way, but I imagine those will get fixed in this process.

Thanks for a fun read!