Foster care is never easy, and you are never "lucky" to be placed somewhere. For Jessica, Norah and Alicia - they learned the hard way. Each girl was delivered to their new foster mother at a difficult time in their lives and each learned to deal with it in their own way. Years later, each girl gets a call that bones were found under their old home. Now people of interest - it's time for these sisters to confront the memories of their past, and even worse - their former foster mother Ms. Fairchild.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it! I felt like I never knew what was coming next and I even found myself falling for every single lie and trap that was set up in the book to garner sympathy for the villain. My favorite part about this book is how each character handles their feelings differently and by getting to hear from each one of them in flashbacks and present day made the entire reading experience more enjoyable. I loved this book and feel as though I'm already ready for a re-read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sally Hepworth for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to start by saying I love every book I have read by Sally Hepworth. She is one of my favorite authors and I was thrilled that NetGalley sent me the book to review. Darling Girls doesn't disappoint! In this book you have three foster girls who become sisters - they are Jessica, Norah and Alicia. Jessica was the first to be taken in by Miss Fairchild and later to be followed by Norah and then Jessica. Miss Fairchild comes across as a Mary Poppins type of individual to others but is sadistic in her mind games and punishment of the girls. Sally Hepworth really dives into the foster care system and brings to light the things that some foster parents do out of so called love. The story of Jessica, Norah and Alicia has them remembering the past and their individual stories and how what they experienced with Miss Fairchild brought them to where they are today.

I was so excited to get this ARC! I love everything Sally Hepworth has written. But readers should be aware this book is very different from her other novels! I fell in love with Hepworth's domestic thrillers, and I usually can't get enough of familial drama. This thriller focuses on an abusive foster home situation though, which is quite different. It was certainly thrilling, and just like all of Hepworth's other books I found myself compulsively reading to get to the end. But the subject matter definitely won't be a good fit for all readers.

Characters were well developed, the plot is quick and engaging, and I appreciate when an author gets the length of a book just right.

There is no doubt Sally Hepworth can write. Her words flow off the page effortlessly which makes for an enjoyable time. Her dark humor I think kind of shines through in this book, it kinda catches you off guard just at the right time. For instance one of the sisters dates guys so he will buy her nice dinners and do handiwork around the house for free (Note to self to try this tactic next time I have a plumbing issue, that will save me the upfront minimum $125 they charge)

The book kicks off with some major creepy vibes, bones are found buried in an abandoned foster home where Norah, Jessica and Alicia were raised. The "sisters" return and Hepworth begins to unfold the tragedies that occurred in the home under the "care" of Miss Fairchild. (Y'all in my mind Miss Fairchild looked like Mrs. Trunchbull from the movie Matilda--she is what we would call a handsome woman) It is told from multiple perspectives and dual timelines to add to the suspense of the novel. Just when you get settled into the time/character you are left with a bit of a dangling carrot (piece of chocolate, French fry, you pick your vice) to keep you wanting more. Like I said this book was effortless.

Okay, now, here is where I was left a bit "perturbed" . Along the way I made several conjectures ( don't I sound smart when I use that word? Please envision me with a monocle when I say that as well) that turned up wrong-thats all fine and dandy-I even liked the final final twist. The part that left my knickers in a wad, was I felt a little lied to. In fact I aggressively pressed the home button on my kindle out of anger (not nearly as satisfying as slamming a book closed, but much better economically that slamming my kindle down FYI) It was enough for me to mark it down 1 star. I was also a bit taken back by the woman on woman action Sally had in this book....not her usual style, a little too much info for me.
PS I loved Phil!

I enjoyed this book far more than her previous book, The Soul Mate. I think if you are a mystery/thriller reader you will without a doubt enjoy this book! Do yourself a favor and read this one when it publishes on April 23, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced copy read of Darling Girls. I was not influenced or paid for this honest review.

Winner winner chicken dinner! I absolutely loved this book and cannot thank Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press enough for providing me an advanced copy. This story highlights
the lives of three women who grew up together in foster care under an abusive and narcissistic foster parent. It is told in both past and present tense, flowing nicely between the two. It was absolutely riveting from the start and sucked me in through the very last page. The book had so much depth and was absolutely addicting. The ending was spectacular and finished off with an unexpected twist that left me speechless.

*Trigger warning regarding foster care and abusive parenting.

Jessica, Norah and Alicia are sisters, not by blood but shared circumstances. All of them grew up as foster children at Wild Meadows under Ms. Fairchild, a mercurial and sinister woman. They survived their childhood and decades later, the women still share a strong bond despite their contrasting lives. Jessica is a successful businesswoman with a home organization business. Norah has frequent run-ins with police because of violent behaviour. And Alicia works as a social worker, helping children through the foster system

However, their present is jarred when the police call them to revisit Wild Meadows after human remains were uncovered under the farm. Now, the women must face their inner turmoil by revisiting a pivotal incident from their past.

I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. While the child abuse scenes were horrifying, the main characters were compelling and offered hope. I was inspired by their resilience and strong bond, and it was interesting to see how they tried to cope with their horrible childhood in different way. The novel struck a great balance by providing plot twists and developing well-rounded characters.

Overall, this book won’t disappoint Sally Hepburn fans and is a great one to try for those who aren’t familiar with her work. Hepburn has undoubtedly mastered the domestic suspense genre.

What a whirlwind!

I loved the dual timelines and the addition of the psychology office meetings as well. You get to truly understand and learn all of the characters from every point of view.

Also...you think you know where it is going and you are wrong. I am rarely surprised by thrillers just because I have read so many but, let me tell you...you don't know the end.

loved this book. I think it might be my new favorite of Sally Hepworth’s…though I have a habit of saying that with each new book! I can’t help it as I just love her books. I loved how the author not only delved into the plot but also explored into the psyche of these characters, peeling it layer by layer; which I found really interesting! Overall, this was chefs kiss good for real!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is such a fun thriller to read. The author has a unique voice, and her characters are pure entertainment. Alicia, Jessica, and Norah are foster sisters bonded by the trauma endured during their time with a horrific foster mother. The novel flips back and for between past and present, and the mystery unravels slowly and then all at once- and then the twist hits you in the face. Highly recommend!!

Thanks @netgalley and @stmartinspress for read number 128 of 2023: @sallyhepworth’s newest book to be released in April 2024. Please note that my ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this mystery/suspense novel. I couldn’t put it down. Even when I thought I had it figured out, Hepworth provides a great twist. Really enjoyed the multiple points of view. A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 read in my books.

When I see that Sally Hepworth has a new book out I automatically have to read it, because her books ARE that "EXCEPTIONAL "

With her latest book Darling Girls, Hepworth has proven once again why people flock to read her books.

Be prepared to read this one quickly, I finished this one in 24 hours.

I just could not put it down.

Twists and turns you will NOT SEE COMING!

AND THAT ENDING.....

Be prepared to have your mouth hanging open.
LITERALLY!!!

HEPWORTH IS ALL THAT! ❤️️

Thank you, NetGalley/Sally Hepworth /
St. Martin's Press/ For this Amazing e-Arc in advance for my honest review. My opinions are of my own volition


PUBLICATION DATE: 23 APRIL 2024
St. Martin's Press

One of the current queens of domestic suspense is back at it again, with another entertaining story full of secrets and lies, twists and turns. Don't trust anybody! This was a quick read for me, and I enjoyed it. It's hard to review suspense novels without giving too much away so I'll just say, read it and have fun! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy.

Wow! Sally Hepworth did it again.

The twist and turns you don’t see coming. This book shows the bonds of the family you choose. A light is shone on the dark side of foster care. You do not know the monster lurking behind a smile. I could not put this book down.

This is my least favorite Sally Hepworth novel to date. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and wasn’t shocked by the big twist at the end.

3.5 stars! This book follows 3 girls growing up in foster care and their past/present storylines after a discovery of bones are found at their old foster home. I tend to fly through Sally’s books and this one was no different. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

(Read the synopsis for the book description because Im not blessed with that kind of time)
I absolutely loved our main characters, Jessica, Norah and Alicia. They were so well written, from childhood into adulthood.
I read this book in less than 24 hours and didn’t want to put it down.
The atmosphere was *chefs kiss* (albeit disturbing af), the pacing was perfect, it was suspenseful and twisty and as always, Hepworth hit us with an unexpected reveal right when you think it’s over.
10/10.
Thank you to Net Galley and St Martins Press for the early copy!

I will start off saying this started out very slow for me and it wasn’t until 35% into the book that I started to enjoy it. A murder has happened in Wild Meadows over 25 years ago and the cops find 3 women who lived there back then. They were all young girls back then raised in the foster care system so it went back and forth from when they were children to their present age of 30’s. I love all of Sally Hepworth’s books so I was determined to keep going but I found myself several times wanting to give up in the first half. I’m glad I stuck with it. Some of the young girls grew up in horrific settings and this just broke my heart. What a great story teller this author is! Loved it in the end! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review. To be published April 2024.

Wow! This book was filled with twists and turns up until the last page. I couldn’t put this book down. What a mystery filled with unreliable narration, plot twists and thrills. Such a great read! I will recommend this thriller to tons of people!

Yesss! Love Sally Hepworth-this was such a good read! I didn't see the twists coming. Fast paced and kept me really engaged. Thanks to NetGalley!

This book was SO dang good, and I can’t say that I ever saw any of the twists coming. I love Sally Hepworth, so it was amazing to get the chance to read this arc. Once I started, I was unable to stop. Another awesome book, thank you!!