I absolutely loved this book. I normally only do audiobooks because my eyes have gotten so bad the past few years, but this book was so good, I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

The characters were so well thought out. I have sensory processing disorder myself, so maybe that is why I felt especially fond of Fern and Wally.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book!

A quirky free-spirited librarian with Asperger's, Fern Castle likes to keep her life strictly regimented. On the other hand, Fern's twin sister Rose is the responsible one with the perfect house and the perfect marriage, a sister who spent their childhood protecting Fern from their abusive mother. When Fern discovers her sister cannot get pregnant, she decides she can have the baby for her. As Fern starts making more choices on her own, she begins to realize that maybe Rose might not such a good sister after all.

After loving The Mother-in-Law, Hepworth's latest novel wasn't as good as I had hoped. I adored Fern's character and loved seeing life from her point of view. Her romance storyline is well-played and she was an all-around perfect narrator. The problem is that even from the start you know that Rose is the villain, which makes the whole drama utterly predictable. 

I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, because I really did enjoy reading The Good Sister. I guess I just wish Hepworth's publishers would stop trying to market her books like thrillers when they are in reality character-driven family dramas.

Set in Australia, what starts as a dark tale of loss told by Rose, a twenty-eight-year-old interior designer, becomes a fun romp as told by her fraternal absent-minded twin sister Fern, who works at a library. Rose’s husband recently left to take a job in London, but Rose stayed home to take care of her sister. She’s done that since they were kids, surviving a chaotic childhood. When Fern learns Rose yearns to have a baby, she dives into research and comes up with a secret solution to help Rose that won’t involve prohibitive costs or medical treatments. But first, Fern, who has social anxiety, must get a date. The story moves along at a fast pace and ends with a twist. I really enjoyed reading this book.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is an incredible read. Fraternal twins, Rose and Fern have a co-dependent relationship and couldn’t be more different from each other. Tall, willowy Fern is a single librarian with sensory processing difficulties. Rose is short, married and trying to become pregnant. Told in alternating narratives by Fern in real time and Rose’s diary, we see two drastically different viewpoints of their lives growing up. I absolutely adored the endearing character, Wally. Well written with great character development, you will be guessing until the very end just who the good sister is.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of The Good Sister in exchange for an honest review.

Rose has always had to take great care of her twin sister, Fern, who has trouble with sensory overload and managing her everyday life. She has had to protect her from their abusive mother who brought random men into their lives. But protect Fern from herself is Rose's most challenging chore of all because Fern is capable of great harm to others.

Fern is a happy librarian, but she shy's away from to much interaction with people, noises and loud sounds. She never knows how to socially interreact with people. She loves Rose to extremes because she is the only person who has always been there for her, and would do anything for her. When Rose confides that she will not be able to have children Fern comes up with a plan to get pregnant and then give the baby to her sister. When she meets a quirky drifter who is the perfect candidate for her plan, however she never expects to fall for him, but who is manipulating who?

This is a surprising thriller told from both perspectives of the sisters. It is very well written twisty novel, and I loved the perspective of Fern and how she interacts with the world. I would recommend this for suspense and thriller fans.

Story of paternal twin sisters Rose and Fern raised by their mother, often homeless/. Told in alternating chapters from the past and present, Rose has always been protective of Fern who suffers from a sensory processing disorder. The sisters' relationship begins to change as Fern becomes involved with a man. As more is revealed about the twins' past, apparently appearances are deceptive.
Fast paced read.

A fun and addictive thriller that I couldn’t put down! The main character is on the spectrum and some of the chapters narrated by her reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

I will say I wasn’t shocked at the end as I predicted a few of the turns, but even so, I would recommend it as an enjoyable fast read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! This is the first book I have read by this author and it didn't disappoint. I was hooked within the first few pages. A great story about sister relationships and the love/hate feelings that come with being siblings. The story is about twin sisters who have a dark secret but their recollections are a bit different. Fern is one of the sisters who is sensory sensitive but very very smart and her twin sister Rose is the "caregiver" and cares for Fern and protects her. The series of events that unfold keep you on the edge of your seat. Great read!!! Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC of this book.

An unflinching examination of the bonds of sisterly love, both light and dark, both cherished and tested are fraternal twins Rose and Fern.

Please do not confuse this book with one of a similar title (The Favorite Sister), Sally Hepworth’s approach to plot development and character discovery is far superior. I had an instant liking to Fern for being on the spectrum and sharing many of my quirky traits and behaviors. It is a rare joy for me to see a raw and true reflection of my own thought processes represented (most good depictions focus on a male perspective, like in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).

I also found the alternating POV style to be quite clever and engaging . . . a path of puzzle pieces and thrills that lead to a stunning conclusion.

There was so much for me to enjoy about this story and I sincerely thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy of The Good Sister for review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review

I have always enjoyed stories about siblings but the book went way past my expectations! Rose and Fern were fraternal twins and it appears that Rose is the sister who looks after her sibling, but does she? A great “who done it” read that will keep you turning pages way into the night! I am looking forward to reading more books by Sally Hepworth! She is my new favorite author!

Fern and Rose are twins, but are as different as night and day. Fern has sensory issues. Rose has diabetes. Fern has been single for most of her 28 years. Rose is married, although the marriage is estranged. Fern has never even thought about having children. Rose and her husband have always wanted children, but never thought they’d have them. This plants a seed in Fern’s head that she can help her sister out with the ultimate gift.

This doesn’t really hit suspense/thriller territory until about halfway through. However, you will not be disappointed getting to know the characters and learning about their quirks. It’s all part of the groundwork for the second half. There are plenty of surprises and dark turns ahead, and the whole journey!

I enjoyed this book, I went into it thinking it was a psychological thriller, but the first half or so doesn't really come off that way. Although there is a small sense of foreboding, it starts out as a family drama, about a great character named Fern. I fell in love with Fern. She is a librarian, who obviously has Asperger's - although this is never said outright. She knows that she is just a bit different than everyone else, The author does an excellent job of letting the reader get into Fern's mind. Fern has a twin sister, Rose, who appears to be a "good sister", but you do get the feeling that there is something not quite right about Rose and her relationship with Fern.

There is also a romantic storyline between Fern and Wally/Rocco, who she meets in the library and thinks is homeless. She comes to find out he is a a brilliant entrepreneur, But this doesn't mean anything to her. What she loves about Wally is that he is a lot like her. It is a really sweet love story.

The chapters alternate between Fern's and Rose's points of view with excellent character development throughout,. Thr book also alternates between the past and present, with emphasis on a terrible incident that happened when the girls were young,. Things start to get intense in the last third to half of the book, with some interesting twists and turns and secrets revealed. Without giving anything away, I love that Fern sticks up for herself and that her innocence and good heart win in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

What a ride! This story keeps you guessing- even when you think you know, it turns out you don't. Even when you think you have everything worked out, there's something you've missed. I hugely enjoyed this read, devouring it in two days' time.

An enchanting, enthralling, and utterly beautiful women’s fiction novel with a twist of domestic suspense, The Good Sister is that rare story that manages to hit all the right buttons.

Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who survived a traumatic childhood with a narcissistic mother. Fern has sensory issues: noises frighten her, she doesn’t trust herself or anyone around her, and therefore Rose has spent her life being Fern’s protector. But Fern is changing. Growing. And she’s realizing Rose has secrets she’s been keeping.

The most compelling aspect of this story is Fern, who is one of the most utterly irresistible protagonists I’ve read in a long time. I was absolutely enamoured with her and the way her character changed throughout the story.

Sharply insightful, compassionate, funny in places, with a dash of romance, The Good Sister is a smart, absorbing story of sisterhood and survival, and how the truth often looks much different than what we think. This was my first Sally Hepworth book, and it won’t be my last. Fans of Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin will love it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

After reading The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, I was extremely excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. You can always count on Sally Hepworth to create an enticing thriller.

Right from the first paragraph I was drawn to the effortless writing style. Switching between journal entries from the past and present day events, Hepworth almost creates an uneasy feeling for her readers.

As someone who lives with sensory processing difficulties, I identified with Fern on so many levels. Let me just say that it takes talent to write about such character traits in a tactful and respectful manner. Fern was eccentric and quirky but completely genuine with her every day battles.

Unlike many modern thrillers, the story line was not centred about the “big twist”. Much rather the enjoyment can be found in the narrative leading up to the climax and the balance between each character.

All in all, The Good Sister” was a riveting and enjoyable read. Sally Hepworth is definable making her mark in the bookish world.

I read this book all in one sitting in a long car ride, and it kept my attention the entire time. For me, the thriller aspect started off a little slow, and I thought maybe I had picked up a book that was more of a family drama than a suspense title. I wouldn't say that is a bad thing, though, as the author slowly unwrapped the tension, making me want to read on. The other thing I liked about the book is the main character Fern. The author wrote a character on the autism spectrum in a sensitive and realistic way that made me really like her (maybe because I am a librarian too!)

I started it and couldn't really get into this book. It didn't keep my attention like the Mother-in-Law did. The going back and forth with the characters was a little confusing. I did enjoy her other book The Mother-in-Law and picked it because I thought it would be like that book.

A twisting tale of manipulation and sibling rivalry gone mad, nothing is quite as it seems in The Good Sister. Twins Rose and Fern are close, yet from the outset, I felt a certain toxicity to the relationship, a razor sharp edge of manipulation and control. Something was off with these twins, and very early on in the story, I started to have an inkling as to what it was. Nevertheless, don’t be fooled by this show of hand so early, this psychological thriller is less about the astonishing reveal and more about the long game.

Fern instantly endeared herself to me and then once Wally was on the scene, the deal was well and truly sealed in terms of who was my favourite twin and who was not. Fern has sensory issues, in that, she has hypersensitive senses, so things like bright lights, loud noises, crowds, changes in temperature and people touching her, just to list a few as an example, make life incredibly challenging for her. She can’t cope in these situations, and for the most part, she uses avoidance strategies to deal with this. When she meets Wally, she soon realises that she may have just met a kindred spirit.

As I mentioned above, Sally shows her hand quite early on in this story in terms of what might be going on. It’s nothing as obvious as a big reveal, more an element of sustained dread that takes root and just continues to build as the story progresses. I felt like this was deliberate, a way of steering us, as readers, into fully appreciating what life must be like for Fern. Just as we could see what was going on, so could some of the other characters in Fern’s life. For Fern however, the extent of the manipulations she had been subjected to rendered her incapable of fully comprehending the danger she was in until it was almost too late. She simply couldn’t see what we could. Therefore, I do think this was less ‘obvious plot reveal’ and more ‘intentional plot mastering’.

This story is an excellent case study in vulnerability. It’s also a cautionary tale about hidden depths and dangerous minds. Fans of Sally Hepworth will enjoy this latest release and if you are new to her work, this one is sure to turn you into a fan.

Thanks is extended to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of The Good Sister for review.

3.5 stars

Sister relationships are complicated, and fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, have a more complicated relationship than most.

Fern is on the spectrum and has sensory processing disorder. Rose has been her best friend and protector since they were young children growing up in an abusive household. Fern knows she could never make it on her own. She is indebted to her sister for many things and comes up with a plan to repay her that you know will not be as uncomplicated as Fern believes.

This seems to be a pretty straightforward story but things are not be as they seem. After the halfway mark, there are a few surprises and twists in store. The story is told in a dual perspective from Fern’s point of view and in flashbacks to their childhood through Rose’s diary.
I loved Fern’s quirkiness, innocence and good heart and I fell in love with her friend Wally. I loved the library setting and Fern’s job as a librarian, as well as her love of books and reading.

Which sister is the ‘good sister’? Are either reliable narrators? Is someone lying? Was I right to root for one of the sisters? The ‘good sister/bad sister’ story has been done before. Was it predictable? Yes. Did I care? No. I still found it an engaging fun read that I read on the beach in one day at a time when I needed an easy page-turner.

Recommended for fans of women’s fiction with a side of humor, romance, and light suspense that won’t stretch your ‘little gray cells’ too hard. This will be a good one to throw into the beach bag next Spring/Summer.

Sally Hepworth's The Good Sister is interesting and fascinating. It's a coming of age story about twin sisters—Rose and Fern, growing up with their sociopathic mother. Rose wants to get pregnant and has a strained relationship with her husband. Fern works as a librarian and hypersensitive in all senses such as touch, light, sound, and smell.

Rose describes her sister as having intellectual disabilities. To me, it is more not knowing how to behave normally in an everyday social environment. Fern sounds intelligent when she speaks. She is well-read and can discern what is right from wrong. She likes her routine and becomes disoriented when the routine is not followed. I would say, Fern, is somewhat on the extreme side. She met a guy a the library who she first thought was homeless. The library has a shower facility beside the typical books, computer, printer, and photocopier service it offers. Because the guy looks so much like Wally from the Where's Wally puzzle book (the British edition), Fern started calling him Wally since then.

Sometimes, a character doesn't have to be likable in order for me to appreciate a book. In this case, while I can somehow relate to both sisters, there are a lot of their traits that I do not find admirable as a result of their mother's treatment when they were young. Another point that I like about this book is how the characters are mundane and domestic. Like typical people I interact in everyday life. How they are flawed but managed to rise from it and have a normal life as an adult. I like how the twin sisters developed throughout the story.

The book is told from two perspectives. One is Fern's perspective. The other is Rose's perspective together with the recounting of history through her journal writing. It is a good flow between the two perspectives that I did not lose the plot as I read. Besides, the author talks about books a lot which I enjoy and find very engaging.

The story is both dark and light-hearted. Rose's retelling of the past is dark as it involves their sociopathic mother. On the other hand, Fern's deadpan and matter-of-fact responses are funny. I also enjoy the interaction between Fern and Wally. I felt hopeful, compassionate, poignant, nostalgic, and appreciative after reading the book.

If you like stories about twin sisters, narcissistic and sociopathic mother, coming-of-age, libraries, coding, romantic story between two outliers, hope, love, routine, and books then I recommend the book to you.

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher St. Martin's Press, and author Sally Hepworth for providing an advanced digital copy of this book. All reviews are voluntary, honest, and my own.