I would say overall this was a good thriller! I thought the plot of the girls being adopted and growing up in the same foster home was different and interesting. And I also loved the relationship and bond they created. With that said, I felt like there were some common themes in some other thrillers like crazy female characters, abuse-being locked up, verbal, etc. I wanted a bigger twist but I did really like the last few pages and wasn't expecting that. I am always a fan of Sally Hepworth and I will always support her new books.

As bad as I feel about giving not so good reviews about authors I love, I feel it’s my duty to give an honest opinion for getting this ARC. This book just never grabbed my attention and I struggled to get thru it. None of the characters were really that likesble, or maybe it was just me not getting into the book at all. To me it just didn’t take off and grab my interest may be different for others tho.

I hate to say that I stopped reading this book because I just couldn’t get into it. I used to devour this authors books but I noticed that I felt this way about her last book as well. However I reluctantly finished that one.

I know there’s gobbs of readers out there who love and appreciate unrealistic fiction. “I have enough real life issues & I look forward to unbelievable stories” or some version of that.
I’ve seen it said time and again.
And hey, more power to ’em!

But I’m thinking maybe I’m broken…🥴

Fiction or otherwise, I have a huge hang up when it comes to implausibility. If I can’t believe what I’m reading, if it all feels forced and/or fake, that sucks the pleasure right out of my most favorite thing in the world: reading.

While there were some parts of this book that were very tragic, hard to read and that sadly happen IRL daily, the majority of Darling Girls I found completely absurd and heavily convoluted.

I hate to admit I nearly DNF’d a couple of times. Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.

That being said, I do greatly appreciate Netgally and St. Martins Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 4.23.24.

Holy cow this book was good! It gripped me from the beginning and I was unable to put it down! So many twists and turns, and I didn’t see any of them coming. This was a perfectly crafted story of suspense, family, trauma, and an unbreakable sibling bond. I’m still kind of speechless from the ending. I wish I had it in hardback to share with all of my friends. Instead, I will just highly recommend it.

It was the service dogs for IBS for me 🤣

This book is NOT funny, but I am.

In all seriousness, this book touches on some really heavy stuff. Yes, this is a thriller and it does in fact have a few twists (the last one sure was a doozy!) but it also had strong elements of female bonding and how far you will go to protect the ones you love.

I was envious of the bond that was shared between Alicia, Jessica and Norah. Although they weren’t biologically related they shared something so special, DNA could never compare.

In true Hepworth fashion you will think the book is over and she’ll slip in one major, earth shattering twist that will leave your mouth agape.

Gosh, I really do love this little lady!

Congratulations to Hepworth on yet another sure to be bestseller!

Thank you Sally Hepworth, NetGalley and St Martins Press for allowing me the opportunity to read and review prior to the big release in exchange for an honest review! This one was extra special as I am a huge fan of Hepworth!

It would be criminal to give this book less than 5 stars ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Teaser :

From the outside, Alicia, Jessica and Norah might seem like ordinary women you'd meet on the street any day of the week. Sure, Jessica has a little OCD and Norah has some anger issues. And Alicia has low self-esteem that manifests itself in surprising ways. But these three have a bond that no one can fully understand. It's a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild, and they thought they were free. But the reach of someone with such power is long, and even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are called in by the police to tell what they know. Against their will, they are brought back to the past, and to Miss Fairchild herself. DARLING GIRLS asks the questions: what are we capable of when in a desperate place? How much can we hide the demons inside us? And can the past ever truly be buried?

I always feel immensely guilty when I dislike a book that generally has really high reviews. But I shan't lie! This one didn't work for me. It was fine... Didn't love the writing or the characters as both tended to be flat and not very engaging. BUT that doesn't usually bother me in a mystery/thriller if the plot and the ending are good. I was bored though :( It picked up a bit at the 75%, but not for long. It weirdly was both a quick read but also felt like I was dragging myself through it. And the ending just didn't hit.

I really wanted to like this one!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I am a huge Sally Hepworth fan, if her name is on it, I will read it! In this book we meet Jessica, Norah, and Alicia who are lucky that they get to live at Wild Meadows Farm with the loving attentions of their foster mother, Miss Fairchild, or at least, that's what everyone keeps telling them. Behind the idyllic exterior of both the farmhouse and Miss Fairchild lies secrets and cruelties that forever alter the lives of these darling girls.

The story is fast paced and culminates in a, for me, somewhat lackluster ending. I am pleased with the endings the girls got, but I felt Miss Fairchild got off a little too easy in a twist that has been used in many other books that I have read. This is probably my least favorite of Ms. Hepworth's books, mostly due to the intense subject matter, that should come with trigger warnings.

I did, however, appreciate the story and will recommend it to library patrons that I know would enjoy this.

TW: child abuse, sexual assault

A solid domestic thriller by Sally Hepworth. Mrs. Fairchild gave me the chills and you feel for the three girls and what they went through. I enjoyed the multi twists at the end.

WOW! Loved this book! I devoured this book in one sitting. Don’t even get me started on the incredible twist that I did NOT see coming.

Darling Girls was truly a great read. It's about 3 girls who grow up in the same foster home. It does have two timelines, but I think this really kept the book interesting. The twists just keep coming up to the very end!!

Thank you so much Net Galley and St. Martin Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Darling Girls- Sally Hepworth

Another instant hit as one of my favourite authors returns with her new novel. Sally has a way of entering you into the story so quickly that it’s hard to quit. Chapters turn so quickly that before you know it you are at the end. I enjoyed Jessica, Norah (with an H) and Alicia’s story of their horror experience at their foster home with Miss Fairchild. The whole time I just wanted to wring Miss Fairchild’s neck. This is a domestic suspense and it keeps you guessing and wondering how everything is going to tie up at the end. The ending was very satisfying which I love. Everytime I see that Sally has a new book out it’s a instant read for me. I have loved everyone so far. She’s also very entertaining to follow on Instagram.

A huge congratulations to @sallyhepworth on her release in April. I actually seen it releases today in Australia. I will repost closer to the release date here in Canada.
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I would like to thank @stmartinspress, Erin Martirano and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
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3.5 stars

Bones are found buried at a farmhouse where three foster sisters grew up. Twenty years later they are asked to help police with the investigation. Told in flashbacks, this novel is more about revelations from the past coming to light, rather than any current thriller action happening. A psychoanalyst, Dr. Warren, is interviewing a mystery woman during all the flashbacks, but it doesn't take long to figure out who it is.

Sally Hepworth is a star that can make anything compelling. While the plot was okay, and the ending lacked the punch I was hoping would come, there was a nice little twist at the very end that made up for some of that disappointment. But in spite of all that, this was a page turner all the way, and I have already purchased another of her books to read. Sally Hepworth is an automatic buy, her popcorn fiction did not miss.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I recently had the immense pleasure of reading "Darling Girls" by the exceptionally talented Sally Hepworth, and I cannot praise it enough. This novel is an absolute gem, and it deserves every one of the five stars.

Hepworth has woven a story that beautifully captures the essence of friendship, sisterhood, and the intricate bonds that tie us together. The narrative is centered around a trio of women, each with their own unique quirks and secrets. As the story unfolds, you will find yourself irresistibly drawn into their world, empathizing with their joys and sorrows.

The character development in this book is simply outstanding. Hepworth has created characters who are flawed yet utterly relatable, making them feel like real people you could meet on any given day. The way that she delves into their backgrounds and peels back the layers of their personalities is both skillful and captivating.

The plot is a perfect blend of mystery and domestic drama, keeping you on the edge of your seat while also tugging at your heartstrings. The secrets and twists revealed throughout the story are cleverly executed, and I was genuinely surprised by some of the revelations.

Hepworth's writing style is exquisite, with vivid descriptions and evocative prose that paint a clear picture of the character's lives and emotions. The pacing is spot-on and I found it difficult to put the book down once I started reading.

I Voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced copy of this book. All Thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love all of Sally’s books. This one is great. It does alternate between past and present but it isn’t confusing at all. There are some hard topic but they are handled with respect and care

Absolutely loved this book! It was heartbreaking, intriguing and beautiful. Following the story of three sisters in foster care, as they discover the truth and harsh realities of their childhood. Just when you think you have it all figured out….. plot twist!! Definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers and crime! Can’t wait to read more of Hepworth’s.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC & chance to read this incredible story before it was released. Will be purchasing and re-reading once it’s available.

Alicia, Jessica, and Norah are foster sisters raised by the abusive Miss Fairchild. Each of the women has her own issues in their current lives, but are thrown back into their old life when a body is found under the foster home where they were raised. They return to their hometown to assist the police detectives and face their past. Twisty and turny and full of the surprises and dark humor that Sally Hepworth is known for.

4.5/5 stars

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is an absolute gem of a novel that had me hooked from start to finish. This gripping story is a testament to Hepworth's talent for crafting thrilling narratives that keep you guessing until the very end.

One of the standout elements of this book is the character of Miss Fairchild, who is a truly unforgettable villain. Her complex and enigmatic personality adds a layer of intrigue to the story, making her a captivating presence on every page. She is such a compelling antagonist.

As a long-time fan of Sally Hepworth's work, I can say that "Darling Girls" is another example of her storytelling prowess. Her ability to create relatable characters, build suspense, and deliver surprising twists is unparalleled, and this novel is no exception. This novel had me guessing until the very last page.

I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with well-drawn characters and unexpected plot twists, Darling Girls is a must-read that will not disappoint. Sally Hepworth continues to prove why she is a master of her craft.

I always look forward to starting a new Sally Hepworth book, especially for my thriller/suspense tropes! Much like her others, this one was hard to put down. I found the subject matter to be a little darker than usual, and some parts were particularly hard to stomach as the mom of a baby girl. I would still recommend this one, and hope that the next will be more like her usual. I think that the dark nature and the thriller aspect kept me going. The characters were well built up as well as the story line. Read this in a full day and I do not regret it. I just could not put it down!

I love Sally Hepworth. But this one just did not do it for me. It dragged on and was just not that interesting. All of the characters were flawed which made them difficult to like or relate to. I did like the small twist at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.