The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth was such a nice surprise and so different than I had expected!

This is such a great psychological thriller that is sensitive to lots of different topics. I love the way the author explains Fern’s character and the unique qualities that make her herself. Fern is so easy to love and root for throughout this book.

Money, narcissism, romance, and family secrets come into play through the book and it looks like everything Fern has never known she’s always wanted is about to be taken from her.

No spoilers, but the last few sentences of the book give me the chills and leave me wondering if there will be a sequel or if we are left to our own imaginations.


Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the electronic ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is about two twin sisters that are both keeping detrimental secrets. Will they be revealed? I highly recommend this fast-paced psychological thriller with strong female protagonists.

Give me more!!! This was a page turner for me, I just loved everything about this psychological domestic thriller. I was so absorbed in the storyline, it was quirky, dark and suspenseful.

Fern Castle is a librarian, she has a traumatic secret from her childhood that haunts her. She avoids loud noises, bright lights and crowds as she has sensory-processing issues. Fern has a carefully structured life and catches up with her married twin sister Rose frequently as they are very close. Fern is one of the most intriguing characters I have come across.

Rose finds she is unable to have a baby and Fern being the loving sister she is decides to have a baby for her but she needs to find a father first. What could possibly go wrong?

Fern meets Wally (Rocco) at the library, mistaking him for a homeless man when he goes there to shower. Will he be the father of her child?

This will be one of the best books of 2021, it’s such a sensitive and well written story. The characters of Fern and Wally will pull at your heart strings. A must for your TBR list!

I wish to thank Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Sally Hepworth for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have read all of this authors books so I was exited to get an ARC of her latest novel! This story is about twin sisters. The chapters alternate back and forth between Rose and Fern. Of the two sisters, Fern is my favorite, she is a little eccentric and Rose is a lot bossy. We get to watch them grow up with their mother who is a single parent. The memories that the girls have do not match we find out as the story progresses. Many events that have shaped the girls lives and caused them to be dependent on each other are delved into. Fern has sensory overload issues and Rose just has issues. Rose’s marriage seems to be having some problems and Fern has met a man who seems to be as eccentric as she is. Fern works in a library which reminds her of happy times while Rose does not remember those times as happy. The story progresses and keeps you guessing until the very end...the question that needs answered is “which one is the good sister?” A solid 4 stars !!

3.5 Stars

This is a very readable book and initially reminded me a little of the romance novel: The Kiss Quotient.

The twin sisters in this book have intertwined lives as Rose is the self-appointed care taker (her "person") for her sister who has "sensory issues". Although Fern lives alone, it is clear to the reader that she in need of some guidance in her life.

When she becomes involved with a man she meets at the library, small hints of uncertainty about the relationship start to creep in. No spoilers here but I was disappointed that the twists weren't more dramatic. It felt predictable to me as there just weren't too many characters - You know there is something that is going to happen between the sisters.

This book is getting lots of great reviews but for me, it was just ok.

#NetGalley #TheGoodSister

Oh. My. Goodness. This book!! Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth in exchange for an honest review, it publishes April 13, 2021.
This book gets every single star! I absolutely could not put this down. It was so twisty in such smart, unpredictable ways that truly had me on the edge of my seat! I am purposely being vague because no spoilers from me!
I adored the twin sister aspect and was really drawn to it and their dynamic. I loved what Sally said in the acknowledgements about noticing the sister relationship and needing to write about it.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in thrillers!
Trigger Warnings: Abuse, overdose, sexual abuse.

This book is about two sisters who help each other. It is both a love story and a psychological thriller.

The first part of the book reads more like a domestic family drama. I was confused as to if it even was a thriller, but then the second part comes in and whacks you on the head! It's intense and the way everything unfolds just keeps you so engaged!

I appreciated the way the author handled neurodiversity.

I loved this book. I have read one of her other and just like it this one it kept me on my toes and guessing and some second guessing until the very end.

Another excellent book by Sally Hepworth that chronicles the story of twin sisters, Fern and Rose. Fern is an interesting character, and the story quickly turns into a thriller when the reader gets an inkling that her sister, Rose, is not all she seems to be. The clues come together quickly and the book is a quick and enjoyable read. You won't be able to put this one down.

The Good Sister is a twisted psychological thriller/family drama not to miss. Think, Elenor Oliphant is completely fine meets a thriller by Lisa Jewell.

With completely likeable characters and an engaging story line, the twist happens and suddenly you’ll question everything you read and everything you know or thought you knew.

A great read! 4 stars!

Fern and Rose are fraternal twins. Fern has sensory-processing issues, sound, light and touch. Rose has taken care of Fern since they were children, helping her to cope with situations and dealing with people. Rose is married but her husband Owen has been in London for a while on a job. Rose wants a baby badly but has diseased ovaries. Since Fern shouldn't have a child because she probably wouldn't be able to care for it, she would like to have a baby and give it to Rose and Owen.

This book is a first time author for me. I was delighted with the story from page one. Fern is a wonderful character who I would love to know. Hepworth does a great job of going day to day with Fern and making her such a lovable person. Rose keeps a journal and tells her side of growing up with their single mom and taking care of Fern.

I loved this book and thank Netgalley and St. Martins for allowing me to read and review it. I'm looking forward to more books by Sally Hepworth.

Honestly..this was the best book i have read in years!!!!
Sally Hepworth obviously is an amazing writer!!! Fern and how her thoughts were presented was just amazing. It was almost like she was "real". It was almost as I could "feel" what she was going through.
Just a wonderful book and I truly couldn't put it down.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is an easy ***** review.  This book took tropes and turned them upside down.  It was engaging, disturbing, delightful, and twisty (and you know I love a good twist!).

Fern and Rose are fraternal twins in Australia.  Rose is married, has a house, and seemingly has it all together. Fern has sensory issues and struggles with independence and boundaries.  When Fern finds out that Rose is struggling to get pregnant, Fern comes up with a plan--that isn't as perfect and flawless as it seems.

Fern and Rose's relationship is at the crux of the novel, asking questions along the way about how much dependence is too much and what if what you see isn't what you get.  The book alternates narrators between Rose's diary and Fern's first person and as with any good thriller, there's a mystery at the heart of their stories--the same story, told by two different people, isn't always the same story.  Their relationship with their mother is intriguing and along the way, I was wondering what was really going on.  This book kept me guessing until the end-which tied everything up very nicely.

I absolutely could not put this book down! Yet again, Sally Hepworth has done it! This book is so many different things rolled into one wonderful, delicious book. Fern and Rose are twins and the book goes back and forth between their narrations. Fern has sensory issues and her sister Rose has always protected and taken care of her. But Fern meets a guy at the library where she works and realizes over time that she can take care of herself. There is humor, romance, and twists and turns in this excellent book!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Another great book by Sally Hepworth, I couldn't put it down.
It's the story of two fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, told in alternating chapters: from Fern's point of view and from Rose's diary entries.
Fern suffers from sensory overload (autistic?) and relies heavily on Rose's help to navigate her way through a noisy, bright and overwhelming world. She works at a library, which she loves and has a small apartment, but spends a lot of time at Rose's home. Then she meets a young man.
This is a book I absolutely loved. It deals with mental illness, the sisters' relationship with their mother and what happens when Fern falls in love, slowly pulls away from Rose and the subsequent fallout.
Do yourselves a favor and read this book! Highly recommended.

A dual POV novel with an engrossing plot, unique characters, and plenty of surprises. I loved that one of the sisters was a librarian. If you're a Sally Hepworth fan, you're in for a treat. If you're not, you will be after you read this one! 4.5 stars.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book late into the night and then quickly finished it the next day. Going in to it I thought I had it all figured out. Rose and Fern, fraternal twins, grew up without a father. Their mother was abusive, and it shaped their lives forever. Now grown, the sisters spend many nights eating dinner together. Each sister has her own life, but they are never far from each other. When Rose and her husband Owen want a child, but cannot conceive, Rose decides to get pregnant and give her baby to them. What happens next is a wild ride of emotions. I’m thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to be an early reader.

A suspenseful new thriller featuring two sisters, and an unreliable narrator that will have you fully engrossed and questioning who to trust. The first half reads more like a family drama/character study ...with one of my favourite characters this year - Fern, and the unique way she socializes with others, perceives situations and communicates. The second half is a thrill ride!!! Psychological thriller for the win. I loved this book so much. Thank you @sallyhepworth. Go into this one blind and you won’t regret it.

I received an ARC for my honest review of this book.

I have read two other books by Sally Hepworth and both received five stars from me....not something I give easily! I didn’t think this one would reach the expectations I had going into it, but boy was I wrong! She hit it out of the park on this one!

I have a son who has many sensory processing issues. Ms. Hepworth describes those issues perfectly! I felt at times that I was reading a book about him!

This book is pretty emotional. It shows family dynamic and what mental health issues can do to a family. Sweet Fern still has no idea what her sister is capable of and what her Momma went through raising the twin girls. It is a little slow to start, but once the characters are developed, you will not want to put it down. I still can't believe all of it, but you know what, I don't have a sister. Maybe two sisters would total understand.