This story centers around twin sisters,Rose and Fern, who are so different from each other it’s hard to believe that they’re twins. Rose is a very confident, take charge woman who has taken on the role of always caring for Fern, who happens to be on the spectrum. I really enjoyed how the author developed these two sisters characters as they are so different from each other. The author weaves some flashbacks of the girls childhood into the narrative which really helps shape your opinion of them. As you read on, you really get to know these two women - or so you think! Half way through the book there is a twist that will shock you and from then on the story really gets interesting and drama-filled!
I really enjoyed this story - it hooked me from the very first page and kept me hooked til the very end.
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the free, electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Sugar and spice and everything nice...that's what little girls are made of.....and what happens when you have two little girls at once? Is it double the sugar and spice?

In her new book, The Good Sister, by Sally Hepworth we are introduced to two sisters who are twins. Rose and Fern Castle are quite different from one another as poor Fern seems to have a severe case of sensory overload and life is very difficult for her. Her sister, Rose watches out for Fern growing up and even keeps a very deep dark secret about an action of Fern's that resulted in tragedy. The girls have had a rough upbringing as their father deserted the family and their mother seems harsh and cruel, and yet the girls grow into women, Fern heading off to become a librarian and Rose to marry.

Fern copes with what life has given her, the aversion to noise, clothes that scratch, and even people until she meets Wally (Rocco) and life takes a turn for the better. Fern has feelings for Wally and they are reciprocated by Wally and as Fern becomes pregnant, she feels she can repay all the care and concern given to her by her sister Rose by one simple act of love.

However, there is an evil twist about to present itself in the lives of the twins. One of them is lying and someone might possibly be dying.

This was a quick easy read, one that you didn't need the wits of Sherlock Holmes to figure out. The story was entertaining, a good way to take a break from those heavy reads and while away a fall afternoon.

Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this story due out April 13, 2020.

I loved this book! I have a sister with a sensory disorder and it was so interesting to read a book from their point of view. I loved the twists and turns in this book. Suspenseful, heartbreaking and so fun to read! I highly recommend it.

While the suspense genre has broadened to the point of being almost unrecognizable, that does not take away from the enjoyment I had reading The Good Sister, primarily because I fell in love with Fern, the protagonist. I found it to be a sweet, predictable book, which may not be what the author was going for, but I was transported and put off other chores until I finished reading I like Hepworth books anyway, even though it's the characters, not the mystery, that draw me in. During these dark Covid days, this book was perfect for me.

I really liked this novel a lot. Even more than The Mother-in-Law. Fern was a compelling character and it was interesting that she was written as being on the spectrum. There were a lot of twists and I can't say much as to not give anything away. It kept me guessing the entire time and I didn't see a lot of things coming. It was hard to tell who to trust sometimes, but that's what made the story even more exciting. I love that a lot of this novel took place in a library. I recommend this for a good, edge-of-your-seat kind of read.

Movie casting suggestions:
Fern: Mia Wasikowska
Rose: Samara Weaving
Wally: Emory Cohen
Carmel: Tess Haubrich
Mother (in flashbacks): Emilie de Ravin

Another winner from Sally Hepworth! I always enjoy her books and this was no exception. Lots of good twists - you didn't know which sister was truly the good sister until the end. It was a great psychological drama and I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I wish I could give this a 3.5. I loved The Mother-in-Law and was so excited to be able to get into The Good Sister. I appreciated having a main character with sensory processing issues - showing the neurodiversity of the world in books is incredibly important to all of us. The Good Sister is fast-paced, well thought out and has a fantastic story arc. However, the ending unfolded far too quickly. Everything was tied up neatly in the last 10% of the book and it needed much more finessing in terms of story.

Domestic thrillers is one of my favorite genres to read, so when I read the synopsis of The Good Sister, I was instantly intrigued. Sally Hepworth killed the thriller game with this one. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down. This is not your typical married couple domestic thriller but instead is written in the sisters' point of views and is about the drama between them. They're best friends but what if everything's been a lie? What would you do if you can no longer trust "your person"?

I highly recommend this good for thriller fans, you won't want to put this down.

Hepworth's book raises the question of who is the good sister. An unreliable narrator casts the tale of a sister with sensory processing disorder and her guardian-protector sister. As you learn more about the sisters, you realize that all is not as it seems. An enjoyable literary thriller!

Already released in some parts of the world, I grabbed this book from Netgalley. The Good Sister sounded like an amazing mystery/thriller read and also I love stories that involve siblings that are one Good/ one Evil. It could be due to my childhood but it has always fascinated me. I found myself loving The Good Sister way more than I thought I would. This book was so amazing that afterward, I was ranting about it to a group of friends on Instagram. One of the main characters Fern is a Librarian and we read a lot of her interactions in the library, her customers, and the ones she recommends books too and her hate of technology especially the photocopier/printer. This made me love her even more, as a Librarian myself I saw a lot of myself in Fern's character and understood her on a personal level. The same goes for being a sister and growing up in a rocky home. Like Fern, the library and books growing up were my escape. In the Good Sister, Fern has a sister named Rose who was "the good one" and "responsible one". However as the book goes along, we learn that what you see on the surface isn't always the truth and that Rose is a mastermind manipulator who has been controlling Fern's life ever since she was a little girl and making Fern feel that she is a danger to society and irresponsible. What happens though when Fern falls in love with Wally aka Rocco and Rose starts to lose her grip on Fern, even more so when Fern falls pregnant? Will Rose be caught before she can destroy everything and everyone Fern has ever loved? Find out in this psychological sibling thriller "The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth. A Mystery that everyone should add to their reading lists as The Good Sister does not disappoint.

Such a great book!!!! I was engrossed from page one! I loved the way Fern's thought process was! Twin sisters who were totally different from each other but still had a close relationship. This book made me mad and then made me cry. I would recommend it to anyone! One of the best books I have ever read! Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read it! And thank you Sally Hempworth for writing such an engrossing book!!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth was fantastic. This is the second book I've read this month revolving around twins, but this book was much better.

Fern and Rose Castle are fraternal twin sisters who couldn't be any more different but still share a special bond. Rose is the responsible one who is married and is ready for children. Fern is quirky and free-spirited and works as a librarian. Rose has always been protective of Fern ever since they were little, protecting her from their abusive and sociopathic mother.

Fern is different from others - she avoids social interaction and can't be over-stimulated by loud noises, lights or sounds. Rose has always been like a mother to Fern, sheltering her from the outside world. Rose is the only one that truly knows and understands Fern - because of this, Fern does whatever Rose says because clearly she knows best. Rose is also protecting Fern from herself as she did something very bad when they were children - something unforgivable - and she knows what Fern is capable of doing.

Since Rose has always taken care of Fern, Fern wants to do the most selfless thing she can do for her - she wants to have her baby - after she learns that Rose is having trouble conceiving. Rose could not be more thrilled as she's been wanting to have children and the subject has been a source of contention between her and her hubby.

As Fern goes through this process, she finds out that Rose has been keeping secrets from her. She begins to distrust her sister and realizes that her sister is not as trustworthy as she appears to be. Has her relationship with her twin always been a lie? Does Rose really have her best interests in mind?

The Good Sister is captivating, chilling and addictive. It's fast-paced and a page turner. Excellent plot - I was so enthralled with the book that I ended up staying up till 2am to finish it and I was definitely not disappointed.

Fans of The Girl in the Mirror or Lisa Jewell novels will like this book. I highly recommend it. This is my first Sally Hepworth but I know it won't be my last.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this e-galley / eARC to review in exchange fo my honest review.

Wow. Sally Hepworth has done it again. This book will immediately pull you in & keep you turning pages until you have finished. Fern is absolutely charming and Wally is the perfect boyfriend. How do I get one?!? Rose is a great sister to Fern and caring for her, all her life.

Eventually things... don’t add up and you will NEED to know what is going on.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5/5 stars

The suspense in this book was excellent. Twin sisters Fern and Rose seem to have grown up living two different lives. Fern, who is on the spectrum, works at a library and was used to Rose being her protector and always being there to do stuff for her. Rose treats Fern like a person who can't think for herself. At times, I wanted to shake Fern and say wake up. I loved the lover story between Fern and Rocco/Wally. I had no idea where the story was going. I stayed up way too late finishing it.

Sally Hepworth has written a smashing psychological twister. Twin sisters that are incredibly different. As can happen one twin is the “normal” one while the other twin has sensory issues which makes her “different”. I absolutely could not put this book down until I finished it. I read it in one day and I have to be honest and say that I will be reading this one again. If you are a fan of psychological teasers then this is the book for you. Thank you to the publisher for my requested copy of the ARC. This review is my own and humble opinion.

I couldn’t put it down, I think I finished it in less than 24 hours !!! I was instantly in love with Fern!!!!!! This is the first lead character I have read with sensory issues and also to present her in the way she is I truly applaud Sally Hepworth! Fern is relatable and loveable I find her perspective and interpretations to be my sense of humor and something I totally agree with, I loved her commentary and self talk throughout the book. This was really a page turner and man WALLY!!!! He is such a prince so romantic but in a realistic way not the rubbish books and Disney sell to you but how a man or a partner should be and can actually be !!! This is a great story of the bond sisters hold .... I highly recommend this twisted little gem ! No spoilers here but there are some crazy misadventures and mystery to say the least !

“Maybe when it comes to sisters, boundaries are always a little bit blurry. Blurred boundaries, I think, are what sisters do best. “

This is my first delve into the writing of Sally Hepworth, but it certainly won’t be my last! This twisty domestic thriller had me at the edge of my seat. Thank you SO much to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fern and Rose are fraternal twins, yet the line where one ends and the other begins is obscured. Their relationship, which initially appears to be a loving one full of sisterly protection and mutual respect, quickly turns into something much darker. This story is told through alternating points of view, predominantly via Fern, but with journal entries from Rose. I don’t want to say too much about the plot as I feel that the less you know, the better the twists will be. If you like strong female characters and twisty, edge of your seat plots, this book is for you! Happy reading 😊

This book had me guessing the entire time. The characters are masterfully crafted and engaging. The characters are complicated and enjoyable to read about. The perspective changes add an extra engaging element to the story.

4.5 stars

This novel is a lot of fun for folks with sisters, those who love a thrill, and anyone who generally wants to be entertained.

Fern and Rose are twins, and they have a complicated relationship, to put it mildly. They had a challenging childhood, marked by socioeconomic challenges, a mother who is an addict, a string of their mother's creepy partners, and some unusual rivalry. As adults, in the present day of the novel, their lives are weirdly intertwined. Fern's sensory processing struggles create an opportunity for her to be overly dependent on Rose, and Rose appears to have some codependency issues of her own. It is fascinating to watch events unfold through both characters' perspectives.

I am anti-spoiler in general, but in this case, I think that's especially important. I went into this read knowing nothing aside from the title, and that is an approach I endorse wholeheartedly for all interested parties. Enjoy the ride.

<i>The Good Sister</i> was my fourth Sally Hepworth novel; it will not be my last. I could <i>not</i> put this book down. It is compulsively readable. From the cover and the title, I assumed it would be a psychological thriller. And it is, but a very slow burn that I didn't realize was happening until the heat was turned all the way up. <i>The Good Sister</i> starts off light, fun, airy. It's not until about 2/3 of the way through that things become shifty.

Fern, the main protagonist, is a delightful character. She's a librarian, which in my world automatically adds to that delight. Fern's love of the library and musings on librarians warmed my heart. Hepworth describes librarians as "front line soldier[s] in the war against illiteracy and lack of imagination." Fern clearly considers herself among these soldiers and takes her job seriously. Except she hates to help patrons with the printers and the copiers (they never seem to work the way they are supposed to!).

Fern has sensory processing difficulties. She doesn't understand certain aspects of conversation; Fern takes every statement literally and misses social cues. People seem to like her, but she doesn't quite pick up on it. Fern's fraternal twin, Rose, is the person she feels closest to in the world. Rose is her protector, aware of each of Fern's limitations and always there to provide a safety net.

The chapters alternate between Fern and Rose's diary. Rose's diary depicts a twisted childhood with an abusive mother (TW: child molestation, domestic violence). Fern's memories are warmer, but she believes Rose's memory over her own. As the tale unfolds, it becomes more difficult to determine which narrator is unreliable. It's sad, confusing, and utterly intriguing. In my opinion, it could have been sped up a little, but it was still a fast read.

A favorite highlight: learning about Wally's social prompter app. An app designed to provide excuses for social events and manage them all for you so you never repeat an excuse, so you can plan ahead to call out sick, so that you can use the right phrase depending on social setting. I applaud Hepworth for this hilarious concept. And I'd gladly pay $1.99 to download it.

I did take some issue with the depiction of Fern and her mental abilities or disabilities, depending on how you look at it. I'm surprised that it's not mentioned in any of the reviews I looked at. I felt like Fern was dumbed down in a way that was inconsistent with her obvious intelligence. I'd also be curious how people with sensory processing issues would respond.

Overall, highly recommend.