I am a member of the “I will read whatever Sally Hepworth writes club” and I am never disappointed. Not only does she tell a wickedly good story but she plumbs the depths of some often ugly social issues. Wild Meadows - we are told that:

“the media love the juxtaposition of the whimsical country estate and the atrocities
that happened therein. They also love anything to do with foster children.”

Now if that doesn’t suck you into a story …. Three young women return to their foster home and relive “loss, shame and hate.” They are separate but a unit by what they have endured and this is their story with its losses and triumphs. Told in multiple times lines and POVs - the narrators are tricky, very tricky. Hepworth employs the timeless notion how the abused will return to the abuser, seeking recognition, approval, anything positive. Oh this was so good, so well told with great one liners and terrific smirk worthy dialog and inner ruminations.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy.

"Darling Girls" is another gripping mystery from Sally Hepworth that had me hooked from the start. This isn't just any mystery—it's a deep dive into a chilling past that intertwines the lives of three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who find themselves entangled once again when bones are discovered at the home where they grew up under the tyrannical Miss Fairchild.

Hepworth has a real talent for creating characters. The sisterhood between Jessica, Norah, and Alicia is palpable; they're bonded not just by their shared trauma but by the kind of deep-seated loyalty that only comes from surviving together. Each character is beautifully flawed, making their personal revelations all the more touching as they rediscover the strength in their unity. And then there's Miss Fairchild. She's the villain you love to hate, Hepworth knows how to play the villain card just right, keeping the tension high and the pages turning.

As always, Hepworth delivers a story that’s as much about the heart as it is about the mystery. I found it hard to put the book down, needing to know what would happen next. "Darling Girls" is a testament to the power of sisterhood, the secrets of the past, and the healing that comes with confronting them. Grab your favorite cozy reading spot and dive in; this is one story you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced readers copy in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

I enjoyed this one! It was well done. I had no idea where we were going with this one but when we finally got there I was happily surprised!!

Darling Girls is the first book that I’ve read by Sally Hepworth and it won’t be the last. I thought this was a well written, immersive, and twisty mystery-thriller.

The story follows Jessica, Norah, and Alicia who were all in the same foster home growing up under the care of the cruel and abusive Miss Fairchild. Years later, when the three women are adults, they return to their foster home after learning that human bones were discovered outside the home.

The story is told from the point of views of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia. I don’t usually like multiple POVs but I enjoyed reading from all three perspectives. The three women were all interesting characters and I loved the close bond between them.

I thought the mystery was very intriguing and I loved the multiple twists in this book. This was a real page-turner and I loved Hepworth’s writing.

I recommend Darling Girls to fans of twisty, intriguing mysteries.

Another unsettling domestic thriller by Sally Hepworth!
This book follows three fosters sisters who grew up in an abusive environment thanks to Ms. Fairchild. When bones are discovered on the property the girls are brought back to that dark place to find out what happened.

The theme of this book is one in which I think can be very sensitive and at times very difficult to read about. I usually do not have a hard time reading about sensitive subject matters, but for some reason this one got to me. I loved the three sisters(especially Norah's sarcasm!), and thankfully I did not have a hard time following the different POVs and timelines.
My one complaint, and it's a complaint that I have been having in many thrillers lately is that there is not enough suspense and twists spread out throughout the book. It all happens at the end in one big final “surprise” twist.

Honestly, without the twist at the end this would have been just okay. It was predictable. Really liked the characters, however.

Darling Girls follows three sisters Jessica, Norah and Alicia who were adopted by a woman named Miss Fairchild. While they were repeatedly told how lucky they were to be with Miss Fairchild, they began to experience a side of her that was unpredictable and dangerous. Alternating POV from current day to the past inside Miss Fairchild’s home, Darling Girls keeps you questioning, what actually happened when they were in her care?

I alternated reading and listening to the audiobook narrated by Jessica Clarke. I listened at a 1.25x speed which is my usual speed and the pace was good. I enjoyed the emotion the narrators brought to the characters and found the different voices to be clear and distinguishable. I highly enjoyed the listening experience of the audiobook.

A surprise at the end - a few parts were mildly disturbing, but it was a book I couldn't put down. Based on the author's notes, it looks like Hepworth did a decent amount of research as well to document somewhat realistic (negative) experiences for older foster children. I was not distracted by the jumps in time nor the interwoven stories, fortunately. Also, I was happy with the resolution for the sisters!! Hepworth hasn't disappointed me yet. Thank to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #darlinggirls by Sally Hepworth!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Alicia, Jessica and Norah are sisters, not biological but close enough. They all grew up together in foster care. The house they were living in was rough, but they formed an incredible strong bond. They stuck together through it, but flash forward to present day, they don’t speak. However, that changed when they each get a call from a detective saying that human bones were found underneath the house that they grew up in. The three sisters return to the city that they thought they would never return to, to try to help the police figure it out.

The story is told in different POVs and different timelines which made the story go by fast paced and wanting you to turn the pages. However, I hated the story. I didn’t get the concept of it and the child abuse WAS REALLY HARD to read. Before you read this check the TW’s!!! I kept telling people I didn’t love it when they asked me when reading it. Also, this book is described as a thriller, it is everything else but not that. It has family drama, abuse, and murder mystery vibes.

Besides from all what I said above though, I got Annie vibes with Ms Fairchild and the girls.

This book makes you hug your loved ones a little tighter because there are some kids out there in foster care and I hope to god they do not have a foster mom like Ms Fairchild. She should be placed in jail!! The author talks about how she interviewed foster care women in the authors note at the end. It honestly broke my heart.

I really love Sally Hepworth books but this was my least favorite of hers. Will I read her next book that comes out? Absolutely! Will I recommend this? No.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Sally Hepworth has done it again! This thriller was so many things I was looking for with my mood! I wanted a book that was going to keep me wanting to read and not put it down, this was it! I also wanted a book that was going to keep me guessing and thinking throughout, again this was it! I found the multiple points of view to really round out the story and to show many sides of the different main characters. I wasn't sure at first about the characters but by the end of the story, I was rooting for each and wanting them to have the best for themselves. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth gripped me immediately from the opening page and never let up.
I was fascinated by this dark, twisty, disturbing story of three women who formed a bond as sisters when they were foster children. Memories of their horrific childhood resurface when they are thrust into an investigation of bones found under the house where they grew up.
The characters were well-developed, and each sister had a distinct identity that was relatable. The story is told through dual timelines from the POV of each sister, along with a mystery voice through sessions with a psychologist.
While it is a chilling look at the foster care system, emotional child abuse, and ill-equipped, cruel guardians, there were also happy, heartfelt moments. I especially loved the warm relationship between the sisters.
This psychological domestic thriller wrapped up with a jaw-dropping, twisty conclusion! I recommend! This book isn't for everyone, so please check TW.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Ms. Hepworth for providing a digital ARC of Darling Girls in exchange for an honest review.

'Darling Girls’ by Sally Hepworth
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Publication: April 23, 2024
Special thanks to Goodreads and St Martin’s Press for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

As with all Sally Hepworth novels I absolutely loved this story! A perfect thriller with a twist that surprises you, but also isn’t completely out of left field.

With alternating POV of foster sisters Jessica, Alicia, and Norah we get to see inside each character’s life as they were growing up in an adopted home together with the cruel Ms. Fairchild as well as how they are coping with their experiences in present day. A mysterious discovery under the home they grew up in together forces the girls to recall terrible memories and confront Ms. Fairchild.
I do not want to give too much away as the anticipation really drove this story. The story had me surprised until the very end.

Sally Hepworth is on my dependable authors list. She always manages to deliver a good read. Darling Girls had everything I come to expect in one of her novels; a little bit of mystery and suspense, characters I feel invested in and a moment or two that leaves me teary eyed.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were placed in the foster care system and raised by Miss Fairchild. Not exactly a happy childhood for the girls to put it mildly. Now they are adults and trying to put the past behind them but after a body is found in the house they grew up in, they are considered key witnesses by police. Or maybe even suspects.

The pacing is great because the story alternates between the different characters and you are getting caught up on the backstory as well as the current case as it unfolds. Held my interest from start to finish.

I loved exploring the sister's dynamics in this book and the lengths that they will go to to fight for each other. This is my first Sally Hepworth book but it definitely won't be my last!

Sally Hepworth's new release surrounding three young girls in foster care is her typical, propulsive, unputdownable work. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't get enough of it. The tension was great and it went in many directions I was not expecting, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end. However, I couldn't help wondering if the book sensationalized bad foster care situations, and wondered if part of my fascination came from the feeling of watching a train wreck. Despite this, I cannot deny that Hepworth is the master of the compelling story, and her books are great reading slump busters. I am excited to own another book of hers and am glad to be reminded of her talent.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and the story kept my attention until the very last page. I definitely recommend this book!

Rating: 4/5 stars

The premise of this book was very interesting, I haven’t read anything quite like it. There was a perfect blend of emotion and suspense that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The story explores the complexities of sisterhood, love, and secrets. Each character is well-developed, with their own unique personalities and struggles, making them all surprisingly relatable and enjoyable.

Although the pacing was a bit slow at times, I was so invested that I couldn’t put it down. Hepworth’s writing style is effortless and she really draws you into the story. The ending was completely shocking and amazing, I absolutely loved it.

This was my second book by Sally Hepworth and while I enjoyed this book overall, I do think I liked The Soulmate better. I’m excited to read more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

Love a good Sally Hepworth read, and this was no different. What a twisty, disturbing ride! I loved to watch as our three darling girls all became sisters and were there for each other through it all. That part was heartwarming and so redeeming, in an otherwise super messed up world. I saw some of the twists coming, but man, that last chapter! I love how the book weaves the perspectives from each of the girls, as well as flashbacks and scenes from the psychologists office. This one was hard to put down, and definitely kept my attention.

Bottom Line: Read it.

**I received a copy of Darling Girls from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

Wow! What an emotional ride. Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth focused on a countryside foster home and its residents. The narrative switches back and forth between present day and the girls' childhood with their foster mother. Most of the twists I saw coming but there were a few surprises. There is even a Verity like element. I usually don't like the "unreliable narrator" in books and this had a little bit of that. However, I thought Sally Hepworth did a great job with that. Be sure to look up trigger warnings before you read this book. At times it could be hard to read. I started with the ARC generously gifted to me by St. Martin's Press and NetGalley but finished on audio. The audiobook narrator is excellent. I really enjoyed the Australian accent. Overall a great read.

Wow. This book was incredible! A slower burn, but there are twists and turns at every corner - the ending had my jaw on the floor. I was also really impressed with the way foster care trauma was written and how the characters dealt with it all as adults. Such a fantastic read, and definitely one I will recommend to everyone!