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.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

The beginning of Darling Girls was a little slow for me. Honestly, it’s one of those books I had to pick up and put down a few times. But Sally Hepworth’s talent is undeniable, and the way the story picks up toward the end makes it all worth sticking around for.

I really enjoyed this - I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through the book. I loved all the different POVs and I did not see the twist coming. Definitely left me feeling thoroughly spooked after finishing this book. A great read - 4/5 stars!

Absolutely loved, however there were far too many typos. I truly didn’t know where the story was going but it kept me interested. So many twists and turns. It is slightly hard to keep up with who is who.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that had me hooked from the very first page. Hepworth masterfully unravels the complex bonds between three foster sisters, weaving a tale that’s equal parts heart-wrenching and suspenseful. The dual timelines add depth to the story, revealing the characters’ traumatic pasts and the lingering effects on their present lives. The mystery at the heart of the novel is well-paced, keeping me engaged and guessing until the end. Hepworth's writing is both empathetic and gripping, making Darling Girls a compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed. A definite recommendation for those who love a good psychological drama with a strong emotional core.

Very solid Sally Hepworth book! I always enjoy Sally Hepworth books and liked the multi POV of this one. Alternating between current day and events from the past also worked well. If you're looking for an engaging and quick read with family drama and a low stakes thriller vibe I would definitely recommend this one!

This book was a slow ride but man was it worth it! The book follows three women who bonded during their time together in foster care. There are plenty of flashbacks from their time in the home and current day and how what we endure as children can linger with us as we navigate adulthood.

The abuse and cruelty of the foster mother will take your breath away just as much as you will feel for each girl as they learn to heal and cope with their trauma. The sisterly bonds the three different girls created were inspirational as they endured what was handed to them.

Highly recommend!

Twist was great and didn’t see it coming. Paving was fab, characters were well developed. Loved. Forever a fan!

Sally Hepworth can write a book. Yes, they may be formulaic and about as deep as a kiddie pool, but they are dependably good and I won't stop reading them. This one was a little different because it wasn't all domestic suspense and actually went a little deeper. I loved the characters, even the ones we weren't really supposed to like because they were so well drawn. Needs some TW - abuse, gaslighting, and death. Highly recommended.

I couldn't put this one down! It was so good! But I don't expect anything less from the great Sally Hepworth who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!

Three girls--Jessica, Alicia and Norah-- grew up in foster care at a place called Wild Meadows. Miss Fairchild is their foster mother. The girls quickly realize that their former situations may not be so bad compared to what Miss Fairchild puts them through. This story is dual timeline to their childhood and back to the present day as adults. A body is found under what used to be their home. And the girls as well as the police want to find out what happened.

I was so intrigued by this story. I needed to know what happened. I also found the stories of three different girls fascinating. As the story unfolds we learn more and more about the girls and their tragic story. The twists made it even more interesting. And the end left me floored. Sally Hepworth always has good endings and this one is no different. It's becoming where I will read anything she writes!

Trigger warning: this book contains child abuse and trauma.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sally Hepworth is becoming an auto-read author for me. She is great at domestic thrillers and family drama. Alicia, Jessica, Norah grew up in the same foster home and share an incredible bond. I really appreciated how resilient these characters are and how the author shows the different ways their trauma shaped them.