Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel. I really enjoyed it! I had been in a reading rut and I feel like Sally finally got me out of the rut with this one. It had a unique premise and one seriously evil main character. I’ve read most of Sally Hepworth’s books and this is easily one of my favorites!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

I was so excited to be able to read another ARC of a favorite author Sally Hepworth. This psychological thriller had me guessing from the first page, and surprised till the end.

What I liked:
•the story is set in an unfortunate foster home, but with three likable “sisters” who all came to the home under completely unique circumstances that made them who they are.
•one character or POV in the book is a mystery. I enjoyed that ~ and it kept me guessing.
•the main theme is the mystery of who committed a heinous crime in the foster home years ago ~ did the awful foster mother have something to do with it? Did the three girls know anything? I didn’t know until the end but was trying to figure it out.
•the story is told in present (where are the girls now as women ~ how did their rough childhood effect them?) and in flashbacks.
•the epilogues are satisfying!


What I didn’t like:
•it’s just hard reading about childhood trauma.
•this has nothing to do with the book itself, but I’m listening to a book that has similar themes ~ which I didn’t know when I began reading the books (went in blind to both!), so I get them confused at times!

Sally hasn’t let me down yet. Another riveting story from beginning to end!

This book will be available in April, 2024!

Book 59 of 2023

As a former caseworker for kids in foster care and protective custody, this book really did an incredible job of bringing to life some of the horrors of foster care and how childhood trauma can bond people to one another. I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down!

My husband and I became licensed Foster parents almost 9 months ago. This book shines a light on some situations that can and have occurred. There is no doubt flaws in our system and they need to have light shined upon them. This book had my chest tight and holding my breath for so many pages. It has multiple POV of the foster children that grew up in the same house. After the house has been demolished, bones were found under the house…and the investigation begins. So many questions and not a lot of answers. There was so many twists and turns! If you love a good thriller, this is a must read!!

Another great Sally Hepworth novel! This story about three foster sisters captured me from the very first page and held my attention all the way through! The twists and turns at the end had me feeling completely satisfied, as I really had no idea how the way this was going to end and who was going to be the one that was to blame for the bones under the home these girls grew up in.
If you like Sally Hepworth novels, you’ll love this one! And if you haven’t read one yet, you should, because you’ll be in for a treat!

I am a huge fan of Sally Hepworth. I have read all her books and eagerly await each new publication. I was thrilled to receive a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was about three women raised in foster care. They experienced a lot of trauma and abuse from their foster mother. This created a bond like no other. I loved reading about these women and their sister like bond. Sally is exceptionally gifted at creating 3 dimensional characters that are both real and flawed. In this book you see the child abuse they suffer and their experience trying to an escape the cycle of abuse. This book is a slow burn. While there is a mystery surrounding bones found under their foster home I would not label the book a “fast paced thriller”. I do recommend this book and can’t wait to read Sally’s next release.

Thank you for the ARC!
This book was amazing. I could not put it down until I was done. I thought I knew how it was going to end but the twist definitely had me surprised. Definitely recommend this book!

My very first ARC was Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth. All I can say is WOW. What a wild ride. I was hooked from the very first page and could not stop until I finished. This book deals with extremely heavy topics involving children, so beware before you begin. That being said, it truly made me feel so many emotions throughout the book and had me guessing until the very last page! The story is told in two timelines- past & present. In most past/present storytelling, I tend to prefer or look forward to one over the other. This may have been the first book that I felt equally attached to and excited for both timelines. The characters felt so real, and the setting had an eerie sort of charm to it. Without a doubt, this is a 5 ⭐️ read for me. Make sure to add to your list for April 2024! Thank you to Net Galley & St. Martin’s Press for the early copy!

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were all foster children of Miss Fairchild. At Wild Meadows, they endured the unimaginable. Years later, bones are found buried in what used to be the Wild Meadows yard. The girls return for the first time and begin to confront their childhood memories.

"We're sisters in every way that counts."

Sally Hepworth has a way of creating beautifully flawed characters that you just can't help but root for, and that was the case here. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are not biological sisters, but the trauma they went through as children made them, if possible, closer than some biological pairings. I loved their bond and their loyalty to each other.

This read like suspenseful women's fiction. The mystery of the bones was front and center, but I found myself mostly engaged with the sections of the book that were set in the past, when the girls were under Miss Fairchild's "care." There were times I actually felt so sad and anxious for these girls - that's how good Hepworth is at character building.

This was a great read that explores childhood trauma, foster care, biological vs nonbiological bonds and so much more. With short chapters & a classic Hepworth twist, you will fly through this one.

Alicia, Jessica, and Norah are sisters in every sense of the word. Although not blood relatives, these women endured a childhood that bonded them together for life.

If you are a Sally Hepworth fan like I am, you won't want to miss Darling Girls. If you haven't discovered Sally Hepworth's books, Darling Girls is a great one to get started with. The characters include those you are cheering for, and the one you love to hate. The story will keep you reading late into the night.

I loved, loved, loved Darling Girls. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this excellent book.

Four and a half stars for me, especially with the stellar last chapter. I enjoyed the then and now aspect of the storyline and the banter between the three foster girls.

Any Sally Hepworth book is a good book! This is the story about three sisters who grow up in an abusive house and that trauma that stays because of it. It was a really good book!

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.

Received the ARC from NetGalley. I always like Sally Hepworth books and this one was no exception! Definitely a unique story and I found each character interesting so I was glad we got so many points of view. The ending was such a good way to close the book!!

I could not book this book down!!!! I finished it in 2 days! This book starts slow but it immediately grabbed me. Three foster sisters, one horrible guardian, and one dead body. I don’t want to say anymore than that because it’s best to go in not knowing much. The twist and turns will keep you entertained for days! 4.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Started this about 5 am (I didn't have to be at work till 9). Got 92% into it before work! OMG!! This book is going to be one of the ones to watch for in 2024!! I couldn't race thru the pages fast enough!!

Alicia, Jessica and Norah bonded as foster kids in a bad situation, creating a strong sister like relationship. They must come face to face with their past when a body is discovered under their former foster home.

This book is fast moving and full of surprises, a fun read.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am leaving this review on my own accord.

I could not put this book down- I finished it in less than 24 hours! There was a bit of a slow burn and I loved Hepworth's character development. I have read other Hepworth novels, but this one jumped to the top of my list: she remains a must-read author for me, especially when I want to get lost in a book. Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for an eARC of this novel!

Thank you so much for the ARC of this book. It was my second by this author and I enjoyed the story.

It follows 3 “sisters” who grew up in a foster home together. Years later bones are discovered under the foster home they lived in. That last page though 🤯 - just when you think its all over Sally throws one more thing at you. I will read others by this author.

What a ride. Jessica, Alicia, and Norah were such great characters. The three “sisters” are called to return to the town they were fostered in after the house is torn down and bones are found under the house. It is slowly reviewed the horrors of their time with Miss Fairchild. I was hooked instantly and loved the whole thing. And the ending was amazing!

The novel centres around Alicia, Jessica, and Norah, foster sisters. The three women met as children when they were taken in as foster children by Miss Fairchild. The novel switches between the past, at Miss Fairchild's house, and the present, when unknown bones are discovered below Miss Fairchild's house. In the past, we learn about Miss Fairchild's abusive nature towards the girls. This shapes the present mystery and provides background for all our characters.

Once again, Sally Hepworth kills it (pun not intended). I really liked the three sisters - they all had very different personalities and the interaction between them added some humour to this otherwise dark novel. The dual timeline worked well, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns were plentiful and exciting. Definitely recommend adding this to your reading list!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.