Jessica, Norah, and Alicia may seem normal on the surface, but they all carry some serious baggage. The women aren't sisters by blood, but they've been through things together that most sisters never experience. As foster children, they grew up under the roof of Miss Fairchild's disturbing home. Miss Fairchild was a master manipulator who enjoyed inflicting harsh punishments and psychological torture. Living with Miss Fairchild left the three women emotionally scarred with lasting memories of the abuse. An event forces the women to return to the town they never thought they'd see again - police found bones under the home where they were fostered. Who do the bones belong to? And why to the police want to interrogate the three women?

I will read anything that Sally Hepworth writes. I love her stories, the way she tells them, and her damaged (and sometimes disturbing) characters. Darling Girls is a suspenseful thriller that touches on some difficult subjects. I couldn't wait to see how the story unfolded and it didn't disappoint!

"Darling Girls" by Sally Hepworth is an engaging story that blends mystery and women's fiction. It focuses on three girls who become close friends while living in a foster care home run by a cruel woman named Holly Fairchild. Holly manipulates and mistreats the girls, leaving emotional scars that haunt them long after they leave her care.

The story centers on Jessica, who arrived at the home when she was just five years old, desperately seeking Holly's love but feeling isolated due to Holly's controlling behavior. Norah, who's eleven and often uses violence to protect herself, and Alicia, a gentle twelve-year-old who joins them, complete the trio. They endure Holly's abuse for nearly two years until it becomes unbearable, forcing them to face the horrors of their past.

The story then jumps ahead 25 years, showing the aftermath of their experiences. Jessica's life falls apart as she battles addiction and struggles in her marriage after a drug theft incident. Norah grapples with her inner demons and the possibility of going to jail. Alicia, now a social worker, helps other children find safe homes but faces her own insecurities, which affect her chances of having a healthy relationship and family.

A discovery under the old foster home prompts them to return to the place where they suffered, leading to a confrontation with their painful past and the hope for healing.

The story explores the mystery of what happened in their past and whether one of them might be a killer or if something even darker is at play.

This emotionally charged story moves between the past and present, giving us insight into how the three women have evolved and coped with their difficult past. The revelations in the story are surprising and touching.

Each of the three main characters is compelling. Norah's mix of sarcasm and vulnerability makes her endearing, and Alicia's kindness makes her a likable character. Jessica's complex character slowly reveals itself, making us empathize with her.

The story's climax had me eagerly waiting for a well-executed twist. As a result, I wholeheartedly give "Darling Girls" a five-star rating. This complex and emotional story sheds light on women's empowerment and mental health, adding depth to its dark and sad themes.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow! I’ve read other books from Sally Hepworth, but this might be her best yet! Told in different perspectives and jumping between time periods, this was a page-turner that managed to dole out several surprises, right up to the very end. The final reveal was a shocker!

Sally Hepworth wove a tale that sucked me right in. Alicia, Jessica, and Norah became sisters by choice during their youth. The girls met in a foster home where they shared an unpredictable foster mother named Miss Fairchild.

Darling Girls follows the stories of the sisters growing up in foster care and learning about their adult lives was so intriguing. I loved the characters and their storylines. Also, they mystery of who the bones belonged to and what had truly happened when the girls were young kept the pages turning. I also have to say that I was totally surprised by the twist at the end, and that is VERY rare for me.

This story is a can’t-miss for thriller fans. Do yourself a favor and grab it now! I also loved The Soulmate, so I think Hepworth is officially an author whose books I will be automatically adding to my TBR from now on.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read and review this ARC!

Sally Hepworth has done it again! This book, Darling Girls, was by far my favorite that she has written.

The story takes us through 3 women who grew up in foster care and the bause they suffered at the hands of their foster mother. As adults, the girls think that they’ve left the trauma behind them, but when a body is found under their old foster home, they’re forced to head back to the place they never thought they would return to again.

I absolutely loved the ending of this book. The last page was thriller gold and gave me all the Ashley Audrain ending vibes.

This is a must read.

Jessica, Norah and Alicia are sisters, but not by birth. They met as foster children under the care of Miss Fairchild, who is anything but what her name suggests. As adults they hoped to never think of her again, but when police call requesting that they come in because human remains were found under the house they spent time in, they are forced to revisit their childhoods.

Honestly, Sally Hepworth can do no wrong. The characters were extremely well developed and they felt like they all could be real. Miss Fairchild was basically Professor Umbridge (Harry Potter reference) and I cannot be convinced otherwise. I didn't have any trouble keeping the characters straight and the entire story slapped. This book was seriously such a wild ride. And that ending?! I'm traumatized! But I also want more.

ARC note: this one had a ton of spelling and grammar errors - it was distracting. I know it's an ARC and that's what I signed up for, but it did feel like a lot more than usual. I normally don't point this out with ARCs but it felt like it needed saying here. I still loved the book and will definitely buy a finished copy to add to my shelves!

Also, consider adding trigger warnings to this one... I was not effected but I could see some women/moms being upset by some of it.

Oh the SECRETS!!! This is a thriller that shows the dark sides of the foster system; including abuse and failure of the foster system. The story takes place in Australia and does an amazing job keeping the reader engaged with the twists and turns. As I was getting closer to the end and thought I had all the factors figured out, I found that there was more that I did not even consider to be a part of the characters’ stories. It addressed so many mental health diagnoses amongst all the characters which also made it interesting. A part of thrill of the book was through some of the perspective changes between different characters and time frames, but this aspect also proved a little confusing.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 23, 2024
Alicia, Jessica and Norah in every way that counts, even though they aren’t biologically related. After spending time together at Miss Fairchild’s foster home, the three grew close as they tried to navigate Miss Fairchild’s ever-changing moods. Now, the women are adults with lives of their own, and although they still struggle with their past trauma, they have tried to move beyond it. Until the day when police officers tell them that they found a body buried underneath their old foster home. Alicia, Jessica and Norah will have to revisit old wounds, and uncover dirty secrets, in order to find justice.
“Darling Girls” is the sixth novel I’ve read by Australian author Sally Hepworth. Like “The Good Sister”, “The Younger Wife” and “The Mother-in-Law”, I found “Girls” to be compelling and engaging.
Alicia, Jessica and Norah all take turns with the narration but there is also a portion of the novel that is told by an unidentified person, whose tale is told through visits with a psychologist. As the plot unfolds, I made some speculations about who the unidentified narrator could be, and it wasn’t until the ending was near that I was able to ascertain the speaker’s identity. Hepworth has a way to keep a reader guessing, and I was immediately pulled in.
The three women are unique enough to differentiate between them, and their sisterly relationship is endearing and charming. As experiences from their past are revealed, I immediately felt a mixture of anger and sympathy, and hoped for retribution (which Hepworth delivered in spades, thank goodness).
The crimes and abuse that took place in the foster home are difficult for some to read although for me, since I work in the field, I was not affected by it (yes, I’m jaded) however I was still able to empathize and want justice for the women. I appreciate Hepworth’s research for this novel as well, and her ability not to paint all “foster kids” as “dangerous criminal in the making”. Believe it or not, this is a unique perspective and I appreciate Hepworth’s compassion.
Anything by Hepworth earns top billing, in my view, and I look forward to what she creates next!

I found Darling Girls to be a very quick and easy read. In this story, we go back & forth in time and look into the lives of 3 foster sisters - Alicia, Jessica, and Norah. In the present, when they are each notified that a body was found on the property of their former foster home, past traumas resurface. The author takes us on a journey through time to piece together the puzzle of what happened to 3 young girls... and the unidentified body.

I've struggled with this book because I absolutely adored all of Sally Hepworth's other novels and I have the biggest fan girl crush on her as a person (especially with that adorable new pixie do!) and I really really really really wanted to love this book.

But the characters we just not sympathetic to (for?) me. I know, I'm a horrible person because who hates the orphans? I guess I do.

I am so sorry Sally....

Three adult “sisters” are called back to their foster home when bones are discovered during the excavation of their former foster home. The girls were badly abused by their foster mother during their time at the home and returning to the town is bringing up those horrible memories and showing them how much that time has affected them as adults. Through the narration we also learn the backstory of the “mother” and the mysterious fourth sister. During the investigation, the girls (and the reader) try to discover if they are correct as to whose bones have been discovered.

I had a hard time with reading the scenes of the abuse of the girls (and honestly it wasn’t that bad) and I think it was just the headspace I was in at the time. This was a page turner and I stayed up late reading it because I wanted to know what happened. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and the more I think about it the more I’ve decided how much I liked this one. I am definitely going to her backlist.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to review

“Darling Girls” is a thriller/mystery by Sally Hepworth. I’ve read a few of Ms. Hepworth’s books so I knew going in that this was most likely going to be another book I’d enjoy. What I really liked about the book was getting to know the main characters - both in the present and the past. I could see why they decided to “stick together” like sisters both back then and even currently - it seemed like survival. However, all that being said, I know that some foster parents aren’t the best - but then some parents aren’t the best. But there are also a number of wonderful loving homes (and parents) so focusing on the horribleness of foster families (and workers) just bothered me. I liked the overarching plot of this book … until the very end. I’m not sure if that was tacked on for shock value but it just bothered me for some reason. There are a number of triggers in this book, a lot of child abuse (whether mental or physical). I’d saw that it’s an interesting plot and well written, just a messed up psychological book. In the end, I’m glad that Jessica will get the help she so obviously needed - and I’m glad that her sisters will continue to support her, as they also go about living their own lives. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Wow a rare read where the characters, the setting and the plot align so perfectly you feel like part of the story.
The girls stories tug on your heart strings and yet they exude strength. Each character perfectly created to make this story flow.
Past and presents are told in a way that bring life to the story.
There is horror as we learn about the past and suspense as we await the reveal about the present.
I adored the writing and these characters. The story was a real Page turner and I found it hard to put down.
This one is a must read!

Sally Hepworth is one of my go to authors for an all-consuming reading experience. Once you start one of her books, you just *need* to finish it. That said, Darling Girls got more difficult to read as I got deeper. It got more dark and it made my stomach twist. If child abuse and neglect are a heavy no TW for you, this book will not be for you. Nothing is mentioned in graphic detail, but I’m a mom, and becoming a mom ruined my sensitivity meter. I already imagine the worst things - I don’t want to imagine more. But the twist at the end almost makes up for that pain. It doesn’t take it away, but it loosens the knot. Overall, Darling Girls was a great suspense novel. I really loved the characters and the development of the sisters.

Sally Hepworth crafted another gripping psychological thriller that will pull you in as soon as you start the first chapter. With a childhood bond that will take them back decades, Norah, Jessica and Alicia unexpectedly revisit their horrific childhood as they piece together the unforgettable memories in foster care with their evil foster mother, Miss Fairchild. After finding human remains under the farmhouse where they lived and hoped to forget, the girls make a trip back to their painful past in hopes of assisting law enforcement uncover the cold-blood killer of the discovered. Was Miss Fairchild finally getting what she deserved? Would she finally be prosecuted after all these years? This book will have you at the edge of your seat as it flashes from the past to the present and unveils the awful and traumatic childhood years of the three protagonists. I highly recommend!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Sally Hepworth and #NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read and review this suspenseful read!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy to review. This book is expected to publish in April 2024.

This story is told in past and present and is told in the POVs of Jessica, Norah, Alicia and Miss Fairchild. While I enjoyed reading about the past to learn how it affected the future, I didn't enjoy the characters. The villain was my favorite character. The other characters fell flat in my opinion and I didn't feel a connection to them. Miss Fairchild was the most developed character and is very hateable. Honestly, I don't think you needed the three sisters in this story. I would have liked if the story developed more around Miss Fairchild and Dr. Warren.

WHOA I didn't see the twist at the end! Overall, it's 3 1/2 stars for me, rounded to 4 for this review.

I've been an avid reader of Sally Hepworth's books since 2019. Each of her previous books ("The Mother-in-Law", "The Good Sister", "The Younger Wife", and "The Soulmate") have touched on some element of psychology and/or therapy. "Darling Girls" is quite possibly my favorite Sally Hepworth book to date due to how masterfully each character was developed and tied into the plot (which, despite having read Sally Hepworth's other books, still managed to surprise me with a twist at the end!). I always appreciate the research that goes into creating each book, and it's clear that Sally Hepworth consulted with a number of individuals who are intimately familiar with the foster care and social work systems. This book is simultaneously heart-warming and heart-breaking, and once I got about a quarter of a way into the book, I could hardly put it down. The pacing of the story itself is excellent, and honestly, I don't have any thoughts on how it could be improved upon. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, and I look forward to reading more of Sally Hepworth's books in the years to come!

Darling Girls
Sally Hepworth
5⭐️
Wow! What a chilling, crazy thriller! Up until the end.. I will say that it was super interesting reading about foster kids and the types of trauma/problems that they face.. made me feel so sad and wish that I could make it all better for these kids. Miss Fairchild.. ugh.. she’s the worst.

I was invested in the book the whole time! So good!

If I get a chance to ready a Sally Hepworth book early, I take it! Jessica, Norah and Alicia are bonded for life-the bonds that form when you are all alone, with no family. They were three foster sisters who came to live on a farm with their foster mother, Miss Fairchild.

When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are contacted by police to explain their side AND have no choice but to face their past.

The story opens in the office of Dr. Warren, a quirky psychiatrist who is a bit off-putting but I’m not sure why…? The story alternates between the past and the present, sharing the point of view of the three girls and their life growing up at Wild Meadows and the secrets it holds.

Like she always does, Sally Hepworth hands us another unforeseen, jaw dropping ending that I love so much!

I gave this one a solid 4⭐️! Thank you Net Galley for the ARC, this was an enjoyable read!

Darling Girls was a super well written book! It was an easy read and hard to put down. I often read Sally Hepworth's books and found this to be a great story. just not my favorite of hers. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC