"Darling Girls" by Sally Hepworth is an absolute page-turner that captivated me from start to finish. Hepworth's storytelling prowess shines through as she weaves a tale filled with compelling characters and intricate relationships. The story is both heartwarming and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as secrets unravel. Hepworth's writing style is both engaging and evocative, making it easy to immerse oneself in the lives of the "Darling Girls." This novel is a testament to the power of family bonds, forgiveness, and the enduring strength of sisterhood. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent within the pages of this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone in search of a gripping and emotionally resonant mystery/thriller.

I have read, and loved, 3 other Sally Hepworth books. When I was that this was available to possibly review for an ARC, I was so excited. As soon as I got approved, I immediately began reading Darling Girls.

The premise of this book is a good one. 3 foster girls who must return to their foster home when human remains are found. The 3 girls, Jessica , Norah, and Alicia are brought back to a place that they'd just love to forget. This story goes back and forth with the past and present. You can't help but feel for these characters with the torture they endure at the hands of Miss Fairchild.

As the Women try to uncover the truth of what happened, you cash feel their pain, as old wounds are brought to the surface. This story will pull at your heartstrings but also leave you guessing and in suspense.

Thank you to Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press for the ability to review this ARC.

Another hit from Sally Hepworth! Darling Girls is most definitely a must read. It has been quite a while since I finished a book in one sitting, but I absolutely couldn’t put this one down. Jessica, Alicia, and Norah keep you engaged right from the start. The twists and turns are believable and written in a way that makes you feel as if you were there with the girls. From beginning to end, this book was excellent!

This is not an easy read as stories about child abuse should not be. That said, the bonding and family the sisters found/formed give the story some heart and lightness. The characters were well layered and interesting. The story flipping from each character’s voice in both past and present was well executed and paced. There were twists but nothing too dramatic or unexpected (with the exception of the one in the final pages). Interesting read that I recommend. Look forward to the next one by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

A lesser Sally Hepworth is still head and shoulders over most domestic thriller writers, and though I don't think Darling Girls is her best, it's far from her. worst effort. Darling Girls is about three sisters bonded through an emotionally abusive foster mother, brought back to the site of their former home thanks to. the discovery of human remains under the house. The abusive foster mother in question is a little bit of a cartoon villain, which, while not exactly believable as a character, is a satisfying foe for the three women. I happily breezed through this satisfying thriller.

What a ride! This book had me flipping back to reread things multiple times after new information was revealed so that I could reorient my understanding of “the truth” throughout the book. There were so many complex characters who all had their version of the story to tell. I stayed up late to finish and did not expect the ending!

Another strong book from Sally Hepworth. The story was engaging, and the mystery kept me guessing the final page. I can see this one being optioned for film; the three leads were well drawn, and I can see Miss Fairchild being a fantastic role for someone to sink their teeth into.

OBSESSED with this book. I consumed it voraciously on a cottage weekend with friends.

There were many twists and turns, even laugh out loud moments for me in this psychological book full of emotion.

Would read again.

This book started out strong and immediately grabbed my attention. However, I started get bored and couldn’t get myself to like any of the characters. Not one single character seemed redeemable. The abuse that is constantly alluded too doesn't really get explored to the depth you would think for the emotional issues that the main characters are left with. The mystery didn't really seem like a huge mystery. The ending that I assume was to be a twist, was a pretty easy twist to figure out. Overall, I did not love this book and ended up skipping paragraphs just to get to the end.

I love Sally Hepworth! Her stories always hook me instantly and I finish in days. The characters are always relatable and the character development is on point! That being said, This was a compelling story about the foster system and how these children can sadly fall through the cracks. The twist at the end was shocking and not fully predictable either.

This book was provided to me in advance by Net Galley.

I have read all of Sally Hepworth's books and I find some of them hit or miss but I really loved this one. I finished it in less than 48 hours, which isn't easy on a weekend with a preschooler. The characters are flawed but likeable and the twists keep you guessing until the end. I would highly recommend

I was hooked into Darling Girls and the way that it was written. Loved hearing it from the side of each foster child - Norah, Alicia and Jessica. It flipped from today's point of view to the past point of view. Each girl had their own point of view of what happened and what they were feeling. Also, you were able to see how it affected them in present day, which I think gives a great background to why they react the way that they do in present day. Jessica - is organized and has to follow strict protocols for herself. Alicia - takes care of children in the foster care system. Norah - flies off the handle quickly with her temper.

I enjoyed this story telling and love it.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy!

WOW! Five well deserved stars for this book! I’m not a big fan of time jumps but this was one of very few books I’ve read where I was itching to go back to earlier times to find out what happened. The ending was nuts. Very good all around and held my interest the entire time.

Wow! 5⭐️ This story is told through multiple perspectives of the foster girls that were raised by Miss Fairchild. I was enthralled and could not wait to jump back into this story. Another twisty, turny winner by Sally Hepworth.

Huge thanks to St Martins Press and Netgalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of this book. Loved it!!

Thank you St Martins press and Netgalley for an ARC of Darling Girls in exchange for my honest review.

I love Sally Hepworth. I love her storytelling and the twists and turns of her stories. She’s dark and deceptive and I know that no matter how I try to guess the outcome of the book, I will be wrong.

Darling Girls is a dual timeline story about 3 girls growing up together in a foster home and the effects it has on their adulthood. The “sisters” have an emotional bond that nothing and no one can break. In their 30’s, they must return to the location of some of their worst days and confront the person that was supposed to care for them.

While the plot kept me interested in learning what happened next, overall it fell a bit flat for me. And while this was an ARC (which I am appreciative to the publisher and Netgalley for!) this book was riddled with errors, to the point where it became distracting, so hoping those are fully addressed before publishing.

I am a big fan of Sally Hepworth and always enjoy her novels and admire her character development throughout her novels. Darling Girls is a difficult book to read, but the book is certainly worth it. These darling girls, three unrelated foster children who bond in terrible circumstances are sisters for life, no matter what happens. And things happen, terrifying and cruel things happen yet the girls survive, loving and trusting each other. Years later, bones are discovered under Miss Fairchilds, the awful foster mothers home., going home the darling girls need to come to terms with their past and their present and we follow breathlessly along.. You think about the girls when you are not reading, a sure sign of brilliant writing. Five star read.

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed reading Sally Hepworths last triller Soulmate, so I was excited to dive into this one. Jessica, Norah and Alicia, self-proclaimed sisters, bonded during their abusive time in foster care under the watch of Mrs. Fairchild. The story alternates between the past and present and the three viewpoints of the girls. In the present the farmhouse they lived and suffered abuse has been demolished and bones of a child have been found buried under it. I think that the characters were well thought out, each girl having their strengths and weaknesses. We can see how the past has helped to shape their futures both positively and negatively.

Sally Wepworth is always very good at keeping your interest peaked and wanting to know what will happen next and what twist is coming. I was a little disappointed with a few plot holes… does DNA testing not exist? I found it very compelling in the beginning and had a hard time putting the book down but that momentum died off a little towards the end of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martins Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Darling Girls is about 3 foster "sisters", who grew up together at Wild Meadows foster home in Port Agatha.
25 years later they receive a call from a detective about the discover of human bones under the farmhouse of their childhood. The 3 return to be interviewed by the detectives on the case. Alicia, Jessica and Norah all have flashbacks from their time at Meadows Hill with their cruel and abusive foster mom, Miss Fairchild.
It's a mystery who the bones are since as children no one believed them and they were gaslit for years.
This book was an excellent telling of the permanent effects of being raised by an abusive, narcissistic parent I highly recommend this book, as the twists and turns were non stop! I read this book late into the night, and the ending was well worth it!
Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Sally for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication date: April 23, 2024

Sally Hepworth never disappoints! This story was twisty and absorbing and I couldn't wait to find out what had happened to three foster sisters brought up by an overbearing and vindictive foster mother. I felt that the end wrapped up a little too neatly, but it also brought a satisfying conclusion to the story, maybe better than real life would have been. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.