This is the second book that I have read by Sally Hepworth and I found it to be my favorite of the 2 (I also have read The Mother In Law). I found this book a quick read as I finished it within a day. It did take a while to build the characters and story line but once it got going I found it hard to put down. I also was not expecting the romantic relationship, I normally opt out of romance books but I found this one having a good balance between romance and psychological thriller. I did think that some of it was predictable and was somewhat left without a "wow" factor but I appreciated the ending and how it all came together. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a story. The author did a great job setting up the plot to go a certain way then boom it all came together. This was a easy but interesting read.

I picked up this book because I loved The Mother-In-Law. This book did not disappoint. In this book we have another family drama but this time it's two sisters. Rose & Fern, they're fraternal twins. The story is told from both their perspectives. Rose is the responsible sister whose marriage is going through a rough patch because she really wants a baby but she can't have one. Rose has always taken care of her sister, especially through their rough childhood with an unreliable mother. Fern is different with her own way of processing things. She's a librarian and I have to say her interactions at the library with peers and patrons were so fun to read. Their relationship is built on Rose always doing what is best for Fern and protecting her, even from herself. Fern knows that she is capable of doing bad things and she can't even rely on her own memory. She needs Rose. They need each other. Then Fern decides she will have a baby for Rose. It's the least she can do for her sister, who has always been by her side. As the narratives shift between the sisters and you begin to see incidents from the past from completely different perspectives, the suspense grows as you begin to realize that one of them is capable of doing anything, even murder, to get what she wants. Thank you #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for sending me an advanced copy of this book.

I couldn’t put this book down. Twins Rose and Fern have a secret they’ve been hiding from childhood that threatens to come out after Fern agrees to act as her sister’s surrogate. The book does contain descriptions of childhood sexual and emotional abuse. I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was wrong.

Sisterly bonds can be complicated, as can the bond between twins, but add some emotional issues and watch the relationship really shake up!
Fern has sensory issues and her twin Rose has taken Fern on as her own personal “cause.” Add a struggling single mom and their upbringing has had rough spots. Using a library as a primary setting sets a calming tone for the reader, a perfect foil to relationships fraught with angst. There are also several minor characters who contribute to the rounding out of the story.
Without revealing spoilers, this is a great story of the joys and struggles in sibling bonds.

I very much enjoyed The Mother-in-Law so I was quite excited to read The Good Sister and it did not disappoint. Rose and Fern are twins. Because of Fern's sensory issues, Rose has helped her sister navigate the world, shielded her during their chaotic childhood and protected her when something went horribly wrong on a family camping trip. Or has she? As the plot unfurls, alternating between Fern's first person narration and entries from Rose's journal, the reader starts to wonder can Fern manage on her own? Is Rose helping or interfering? Is there something darker at play in Rose and Fern's dynamic? I literally could not put this psychological thriller down-- at some point I was holding my Kindle with one hand as I made dinner. The compelling plot, however, isn't the only reason I inhaled The Good Sister in a day, I was also riveted by Fern. Hepworth's writing allows the reader to enter the world of someone who's not neurotypical and in doing so adds another dimension to the story, If you want a thriller with heart, grab The Good Sister-- you won't regret it.

I was really looking forward to this book and was definitely not disappointed! This is about two sisters who’ve had a traumatic childhood and how that impacts them as adults. That is a little vague, but I don’t want to spoil anything!

One thing I loved was the various twists and turns along the way. There were multiple points where I got a tingle on the back of my neck and had to start reading faster to see if my instincts were correct. The pace of the story was great.

Another thing I enjoyed was the portrayal of neurodiversity—it was just part of Fern, not a negative or reason to pity her.

Definitely a great escapist read! I’m giving it 4 stars—it was fun to read and I recommend it to people who like stories about relationships and psychology.

Sally Hepworth has written an edgy, domestic mystery about twin sisters. Rose is diabetic. Her story is told through her journal entries. She seems “normal.” However, she writes about abuse she suffered at the hand of her single mother, as well as the way she protected her sister Fern. Fern is a librarian with sensory processing issues. She likes to maintain a routine. Then she meets Wally at the library. He actually makes her feel comfortable. The sisters keep secrets from each other.

As the plot developed, I had to keep asking myself, “Who’s the good sister?” I really enjoyed Wally and Fern’s relationship. The development of non traditional characters made this book dear to my heart. I look forward to recommending this book

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Holy Moly!!! What a great read.

I was looking for a new book to read and came across "The Good Sister" as an ARC on Netgalley, it looked like an interesting story about fraternal twin sisters who are close as....well twins, they had that special bond. Rose is the stable sister with a husband, house, job, who wants desperately to become a mother. Fern is the quirky, hippie like sister with sensory challenges who works in a library. I quickly fell in love with both characters, routing for both after learning about their sociopathic mother, engaged in their lives, wishing I had a sister to share this type of deep bond with. Little did I know by the time I finished the book, one sister would not be what I was expecting and wanting to shield the other sister from harsh realities. This book was so good, I read it in one sitting, I couldn't put it down!!! I can't wait to read other books by Sally Hepworth.

I enjoyed this novel very much. It is well written and the characters are believable. The ending might be a little predictable but overall it's very good.

Twisty and compelling with great characters and good suspense!

Fern and Rose are fraternal twins - Rose has always looked after Fern, protecting her from their abusive mother and keeping Fern's biggest secret. But as Fern gains independence and begins dating Wally, Rose doesn't seem very happy for her. What secrets are Rose and Fern hiding - is either of them a good sister?

I really liked that this book was pure thriller/suspense that wasn't centered on a violent crime. Instead, we get pulled deep into the complexities of Rose and Fern's relationship - this is a slow burn suspense novel that ratchets up the tension in the last 25%. Fern was especially well-drawn as a character - she has some sensory issues and trouble relating to people, making her an unusual protagonist for a book like this. I loved how dedicated she was to her library job and how kind she was to others. I appreciate that Sally Hepworth crafted this character and really made the reader root for her and feel invested in her life.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A great study of twins, each with their own dark secrets. Rose is responsible while Fern is a quirky librarian with sensitivities to sounds, light and much more. Their mother was a sociopath a told by Rose through her diary. Fern meets Wally, an equally quirky man and begins a relationship. With twists and turns on every page, this is a fast read that draws you in immediately. You will be asking, who is the good sister..

Do you have that one person that you trust completely? Like they're your person. Is it a family member or a friend? How well do you really know them?

The Good Sister by @sallyhepworth makes you doubt who you really know. And its totally worth the read. Sally's books always grab me and I can never them down.

Fern and Rose are twins. Not identical and are complete opposites, looks wise and in character. They had a difficult upbringing with an unstable mom so, they learned to depend on each other. They also share a secret that happened when they were young, that must never be shared.

Grown up the twins still depend on each other. Rose is always looking out for Fern, she can't be trusted on her own. But can Fern really trust that Rose is looking out for her or is it Rose's own interest?

I enjoyed this book so much, wanted to know more and see what was going to happen. I loved the relationship between the sisters but I also loved Fern, and how she lived her life plus she worked at the library.

Definetly pick this one up if you love reading about relationships between sisters, the complexity and if you really know your person.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from @netgalley so, thank you. This book will get available April 2021 so be sure to grab it!📚❤

Have you read any if Sally Hepworth's books? Any faves?

The Good Sister is a very well written book. Right from the beginning, the reader knows that there might be something wrong with Rose, the sister who is originally portrayed as "good." But, she appears to take care of her sister and rearrange her life to better serve Fern. Hepworth manipulates the knowledge given to the reader to keep us enlightened, yet not enlightened totally. On the other hand, Fern is so good hearted and in many ways naive that the reader cheers for her in spite of the bad part of her past. I loved how Hepworth resolved these issues and finally gave the readers the information we needed to see the whole picture.
Loved this writing.

Sally Hepworth hooked me earlier this year when I read The Mother-in-Law, and she has absolutely done it again with The Good Sister.

The Good Sister is a haunting tale of fraternal twins, Fern and Rose. Fern, a librarian with a sensory processing disorder, discovers that Rose and her husband have been struggling to conceive. In an attempt to repay her sister for all the times that she has taken care of her throughout their lives, Fern decides to be a surrogate for Rose.

While Fern experiences pregnancy and a budding romance, Rose writes diary entries about their past, revealing details that Fern doesn’t tend to notice or dwell on—their abusive mother, their disturbing childhood, and, frighteningly, an episode in which Fern is left standing over a drowned boy.

Even when I was forced to put this book down, Fern and Rose never left my thoughts. Hepworth has a true knack for writing intense, compelling, and relatable female characters. Although the plot becomes predictable earlier than I had anticipated it to, I was entranced up to the very last page. If anything, this is the beauty of Hepworth’s writing: even when you know what’s going to happen, you care deeply about the characters and need to see them through to the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! I didn't see that comin'!! The Good Sister is an incredible page-turner! I loved it and highly, highly recommend it to all readers!

Fern and Rose are twin sisters with a single mom. Growing up, it seems, was difficult with their mom's various boyfriends and her drug problems. Fern is a librarian, with some sensory issues that she must deal with on a daily basis. Rose is the "normal" sister who is always there to take care of Fern. The sisters share a horrific secret, and much of the story centers around the consequences of that secret. The chapters bounce back and forth between what is happening in Fern's life, and Rose's journal. The story is very well written, with a minimal number of characters and a story that is not difficult to follow.

Thank you, NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous book!

Another home run from Sally Hepworth!

This is the second SH book I’ve read and it was just as good as the first! I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is, but something about her writing style is just so readable. I love the short chapters and her character development is top notch.

I very much appreciated the way she handled Fern’s character who I assume falls somewhere on the Autism spectrum.

4.5/5 stars

A great story about the relationship among sisters and about mental illness. Rose and Fern are twins, but could not seem more different. Rose is married and has a good career and seems to have everything together, except her inability to have a baby. Fern is on the autism spectrum and has significant sensory issues. She is a librarian and is wonderful at her job so long as she can control her interactions with others. If you need a book recommendation or if a little kid needs someone to read a story to him/her, she is in her element, but helping with printer or photocopier issues or engaging in small talk is not her forte. The twins had a rough childhood growing up, with a mother with mental health issues and unstable living situations at times. Rose has always looked out for Fern, a role that has continued as adults. When Fern learns that Rose cannot have a child, she comes up with a plan to have a child herself and give the child to Rose. She has all the logistics planned except for the guy, when she mistakenly assumes a guy who has come into the library to use the shower is homeless and an odd friendship develops between her and Rocco (whom she calls Wally because when they first meet, his attire, including his hat, remind her of Where's Wally (or Where's Waldo for US readers)). Fern becomes pregnant and when Rose learns about the pregnancy, she becomes more watchful and controlling over Fern.

The book alternates between diary entries by Rose detailing their childhood, her mother's erratic behavior, and a childhood incident where Fern accidentally drowns a boy (Billy). [This incident is revealed at the beginning of the book, so it is not a spoiler.] While Fern believes Rose has always looked out for and had her best interests at heart, people have recently been warning her to watch out for Rose. As the birth of her child approaches, Fern begins to question things. Rose is not the person she seems to be.

The sister dynamic itself is quite good, as is the psychological manipulation aspect of the story. However, what really makes the book stand out is the decision to have Fern not be "neurotypical". The interactions between Fern and Wally are at times quite funny and at times quite touching/heartwarming because of how her sensory issues and the way her brain functions affect her interactions with others and the efforts Wally, who has had his own emotional/mental issues, makes to respect and accommodate her sensory issues. Fern is confronted with situations, including involving her new boss, that require her to try new things and to open up about her sensory issues. She finds that people are more understanding of her needs than she expected and that she is capable of more than she thought possible -- a legacy of her overprotective and controlling sister. "The Good Sister" was an interesting and enjoyable book; I would certainly recommend it.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Sally Hepworth writes such fabulous characters that you just fall in love with. The Good Sister is a brilliant domestic thriller that kept me reading into the early hours and I loved it. It is the kind of book you just need to keep reading.

This is the story of fraternal twins Fern and Rose. They might be twins but they couldn't be more different. Rose is married and desperate for a child. Fern has the need for order and structure in her life. She lives alone and works at the local library, a job that she loves. Rose is very protective of her sister, especially after an incident in their past. We learn about how the girl grew up, with their unreliable mother through diary entries and flashbacks. Their mother is now in a nursing home and only Fern visits her. They all have their secrets and are desperate to keep them a secret.

Fern was just a wonderful character. She was sweet and innocent and living her best life. She is happy amongst the books and with dinners with her sister. Rose likes that Fern is so reliant on her, so when things start to change for Fern she doesn't handle it well.

Not going to give anything away, you need to read this one for yourself!

Thank you to St Martins Press and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.

“My sister holds the key to my sanity.”

3.5 stars

The Good Sister is a highly entertaining, psychological thriller/domestic drama about twin sisters, and the lengths one sister will go to get what she desires, even if it means costing her twin her sanity.

Twin sisters Fern and Rose are extremely close. Fern is on the spectrum, and Rose makes sure her twin is taken care of, something she has done since they were children. When one twin needs something, the other is there. But one of these twins is CRAZY, so crazy that she tries to steal what her sister holds most dear.

This book emanates a heavy sense of foreboding, and I was quite tense while reading. I was reluctant at times to turn the page because I was scared to read what was going to happen. However, at a certain point, quite early on, it becomes obvious what’s going on. If you read a lot of thrillers, the plot is going to feel predictable. The sense of foreboding lifts and then it just becomes a drama, drama, drama. But I enjoyed the drama!

There is something about this book that made me want to keep on reading, and that something was one of the characters. I don’t want to say which one, as it would be a potential spoiler, but this character had me flipping the pages. I loved her and was rooting for her.

The Good Sister is fast-paced with some good twists and turns. It spins out of control towards the end and gets a little messy, but I loved one of the characters, and I enjoyed seeing the other one get what she deserved!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.