What a great dark story that proves that family is more than blood. It the experiences that tie you together.

Read this awhile ago and seems like my review didn’t save for some reason. Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

A psychological thriller about found family/sisters who are each as intriguing as the unreliable narrators. Recommend!

★★★★☆

sally hepworth has a way of wrapping her fingers around your heart and squeezing—slowly, methodically, until you don’t realize how deep you’ve sunk into her story until it’s too late. darling girls is unsettling in all the right ways, a psychological thriller laced with raw emotion, complicated sisterhood, and the echoes of childhood wounds that refuse to fade.

this book thrives on its characters. jess, norah, and alicia are the kind of women you want to reach through the pages for—to protect, to warn, to shake by the shoulders. their bond is fierce and fragile all at once, shaped by a past that still grips them in ways they can’t quite escape. and then there’s miss fairchild—a villain so carefully drawn, so eerily composed, that she lingers in your mind long after the book is closed.

the pacing is sharp, the tension relentless. hepworth balances past and present masterfully, feeding you just enough to keep your pulse quickened but never giving away too much too soon. if anything, i wished for a little more in the final stretch—more emotional gut punches, more space to sit in the aftermath of the unraveling. but even so, darling girls is a darkly gripping, compulsive read that lingers beneath the skin.

Sally Hepworth has done it again with Darling Girls, a gripping and emotional thriller that had me hooked from page one! This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions—heartbreaking and tragic at times, yet sprinkled with moments that had me laughing out loud. The balance between darkness and humor made for an unforgettable reading experience.

One of the things I loved most was how the story portrayed each girl’s experience in foster care. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia may have grown up in the same home, but their trauma shaped them in different ways, making each of their perspectives unique and compelling. Hepworth masterfully explores the lasting effects of their past while keeping the suspense high as the sisters find themselves entangled in a murder investigation.

Despite everything they endured, the bond between Jessica, Norah, and Alicia was unbreakable, and I absolutely loved that aspect of the story. Their loyalty and love for one another added so much depth to the novel, making it about more than just mystery—it was also about survival, resilience, and sisterhood.

If you love psychological thrillers with heart, Darling Girls is a must-read. It’s emotional, suspenseful, and utterly captivating. I couldn’t put it down!

This was a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are complex, the pacing is tight, and the suspense builds masterfully. Hepworth’s writing is sharp and immersive, balancing psychological depth with jaw-dropping twists. A must-read for thriller lovers who enjoy dark family secrets and unpredictable endings!

A++ thriller! It was exciting, different and kept me guessing the entire time. I love books where I can't figure out the ending and this was definitely one. Highly recommend!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth REVIEW

One thing I love about Sally Hepworth is her ability to write characters that you really aren't sure if you can trust or not. I usually have at least some idea of what's going to happen before it finally does, but there's always a twist with these books. I've read a few of Hepworth's books before, so I know to expect but she still ends up surprising me by either twisting the twists or by incredible execution.

This book is no exception. In 'Darling Girls' we follow along with 3 sisters who grew up in foster care. Long after they've become adults a child's skeleton is found under their old foster home causing them to go back to their hometown. Once back in town questions from long ago resurface and some long awaited truths are finally found.

This book is multiple POV and duel timeline. Its a fantastic choice for anyone who loves a good twisty thriller. I highly recommend it!

** This book has a whole bunch of trigger warnings, including child death, SA, and a lot more. If you need trigger warnings please check them before reading this book.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Sally Hepworth does it again! Three girls are raised by a foster mother. Everyone tells them how lucky they are but they have no idea what happens behind closed doors. Darling Girls was a wild ride. Darling Girls places Sally Hepworth at the top of the list for best suspenseful authors of our time.

Another excellent novel by Sally Hepworth! Creepy and suspenseful throughout, with whodunnit and constant trying to figure it out throughout the whole book. I listened on audio, which I thought was a fantastic production! Thank you for the opportunity to read and to review this book!

Another well written psychological thriller by the amazing Sally Hepworth. She once again found a way to draw readers in and keep them interested. Though this isn’t my favorite of her books I definitely enjoyed it and recommend it to those who generally enjoy this genre.

Sally Hepworth’s Darling Girls is a twisty, emotional thriller that will have you questioning not just the characters’ secrets, but also your own memories of childhood friendships. The story follows three women—Harriet, Kate, and Georgie—whose bond was formed by a shared traumatic event. But as time has passed, the fractures in their friendship have become as tangled as their buried truths.

Hepworth’s talent for blending suspense with deep emotional drama shines here. The alternating timelines keep the tension high, slowly peeling back layers of each woman’s life, showing how a single moment in their past still casts a long shadow over their present. The suspense is less about whodunnit and more about what really happened, and whether they can face the truth—or whether it will tear them apart.

The characters are flawed and fascinating, making it easy to get swept up in their individual struggles. Harriet is the tough one, Kate is the perfectionist, and Georgie is the one who just wants to move on. Together, they create a dynamic that’s messy, complicated, and entirely relatable. The pacing is strong, and the twists are sharp enough to keep you guessing.

While the big reveal may feel a tad inevitable for seasoned thriller readers, Darling Girls is still a gripping ride. It’s a bit like catching up with an old friend—you’re unsure whether you’re thrilled to see them or terrified of what they’ll reveal. Either way, it’s worth the read!

Sally Hepworth does it again! I have read seven of her novels and have enjoyed all of them.

Darling Girls kept me guessing until the very end. Parts of it were disturbing but that is what I love about psychological thrillers.

I highly recommend this one but please check TW.

Thank you to @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

It Never fails! Sally Hepworth has pulled me into a book I had a hard time getting out of.

The girls, Jessica, Alicia, and Norah all get put into the foster care system and into the home of wicked Miss Fairchild, though many say she is such a blessing for these girls.. With the bond they developed among each other, the called themselves sisters, and remained that way. Miss Fairchild put these girls through hell and yet they remained to keep their wits and together.

Years later, the sisters receive news that they must get back to Miss Fairchild's house due to the bones that are discovered and what they know about them.

The twists throughout this story kept this book made it hard for me close my Kindle when i should have been sleeping making it a quick read for me.

This did not disappoint! It started up slow and then built and built until the end where everything came together.

This book alternates from past and present which as a reader I love.

However, this books hits some tough topics that were hard to read at times.

Sally can do no wrong! Her thrillers always keep me going and wondering what is going on. She is truly masterful. So good!!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because the book kept me hooked the whole time. Honestly, I feel like this just didn’t hit the spot for me because it was so unrealistic. Love sally hepworth and she will always be an auto-buy for me but this time wasn’t at the top of my list.

Loved this book! The characters really drew you in and as always, the twists really surprise you! Every book by Sally keeps getting better and better. Can't wait to read what is next!

In the past, I feel like Hepworth has been hit or miss for me, so I was very glad that I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I found parts confusing but everything completely cleared up by the ending. Loved the twists and turns this took!

Thank you to NetGalley for offering this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Sally Hepworth continues to excel as a suspense writer. These 3 sisters give you a peek in their minds through varying POV & weave a tale filled with trauma and secrets. The ending may be predictable but I was still turning pages to know the ending.