Twisty and interesting thriller with deep layers about foster care and sisterhood. It will entertain you but also you will keep thinking about this months after.

What the f—- was that ending?!?! I was so caught off guard, thought everything has wrapped up and BAM! I should’ve known better, but that twist was great.

The characters had great connections with each other and felt relatable. The plot had me constantly guessing what was really going on, but at no point did I see that ending. Another great book by Sally Hepworth!

Three girls left to foster care, became so close they considered themelves sisters. Years later they receive a call about the house, and the body found under it. This brings back so much to these young women. THis book takes you through so much emotion as well as twist and turns..

This was a little bit of a more darker book then what Sally Hepworth usually writes. BUT, it was still awesome and it showed me that she can write pretty much any genre with ease.
The darling girls are 3 girls who were rescued when they were little and then grew up in the foster care of Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild was anything but fair if you get my drift. The girls though are forced to have the attention on them when a dead body is found under their childhood home.

I don't want to give a lot more away other than its a whole did they, didn't they, did she, didn't she?

Thank you again NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is a heart wrenching thriller. I was supposed to review this novel when I first read this but rated it and forgot. Here I am now better late than never.
As I said before this thriller is a heart wrenching story. It feels more like a mystery than a thriller when reading this novel. You are kept in the dark as the reader and the sisters are not always the most honest with each other so it takes a long time to learn what is going on yourself. For the most part that mystery is what creates the suspense but sometimes it started to feel frustrating as a reader.
Overall, this is a great mystery thriller novel that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery.

A thrilling page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review an advanced readers copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.

Suspenseful, captivating, shocking, and thrilling, this book really had it all! Sally Hepworth does an incredible job of balancing the different characters and their personalities while still delivering a gut-punching story told through varying timelines. This story follows three sisters who grew up together in a foster home called the Wild Meadows. Because of this, I would exercise a lot of caution before you decide to pick up this book. I'm not a mother, but my stomach was turning reading about the abuse the sisters suffered as children, so if that sort of content can be hard for you I might avoid reading this one.

However, I do appreciate how Hepworth is able to incorporate so much humor into such a dark story. The sisters are funny and entertaining, if not a bit exaggerated in their individual antics (cough Norah cough). I did appreciate the growth each sister showed throughout the story and how we got to learn more about them through each chapter up until the very end. This book is frustrating, shocking, and really well-done. I love Hepworth because she always keeps me guessing and I find it so hard to anticipate her twists! That last chapter had my jaw on the floor. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading what Hepworth writes next!

I received an ARC of Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth through NetGalley. Having read several of her books, I was eager to dive into this one, and it did not disappoint. Darling Girls follows the story of three foster sisters—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who are brought back to their traumatic past when human remains are discovered at their childhood foster home, Wild Meadows. Raised by their abusive foster mother, Miss Holly Fairchild, the sisters endured years of psychological and physical torment. As adults, they are contacted by Detective Patel to assist in the investigation of the remains found at Wild Meadows. The narrative alternates between the past and the present, gradually revealing the extent of the sisters' traumatic experiences. In the past, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were taken in by Miss Fairchild, who initially appeared loving but soon revealed her true, cruel nature. The sisters bonded over their shared suffering and attempts to protect each other from Miss Fairchild's unpredictable punishments. In the present, the sisters are forced to confront their past as they return to Wild Meadows. Jessica, now a successful home organizer, struggles with addiction; Norah, who has a history of violence, is being extorted; and Alicia, a social worker, grapples with forming healthy relationships. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover shocking secrets about Miss Fairchild and the true identity of the remains. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in Darling Girls. Hepworth's ability to create complex, relatable characters is evident in the sisters' distinct personalities and their emotional journeys. The alternating timelines and multiple perspectives added depth to the story, making it a compelling read. The exploration of themes such as trauma, resilience, and the long-term impact of abuse was handled with sensitivity and depth. While some plot twists were predictable, the overall execution and strong character development made this book a standout. Hepworth's writing is engaging and evocative, drawing readers into the sisters' world and keeping them invested in their fate. I highly recommend Darling Girls to fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven stories. I look forward to reading more from Sally Hepworth in the future. #netgalley #darlinggirls

Wow, this one was a fun read! I feel strange saying that because it does involve some heavy topics (abuse and a mysterious death), but I was hooked the entire time. I really enjoyed the characters, the past and present chapters, and learning more of the backstory. At times, "Darling Girls" gave me "If You Tell" vibes, but obviously this story is fictional. The ending had me absolutely floored, just when I was so happy with how it wrapped up! I believe this is my second or third Sally Hepworth book and I am a permanent fan. Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and MacMillan audio for the opportunity to read and review this one.

Whose body is buried under the house? This thriller drags you in and keeps you reading til the end, a page turner. The characters bring so much to the story as it unfolds. An easy weekend read.

Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Reviews being posted to B&N and Amazon upon approval.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was an easy and quick read. However, it was just that. There wasn't very much to the story and it didn't entice me to try and predict the plot. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.

Sally Hepworth! Everything is writes is worth reading, and this was no exception. The relationships between these characters was deep and intriguing, and the flashbacks were perfectly interspaced.

This is not a thriller in my opinion. This is more a dark story, kind of a mystery. It’s about a body being found and they have to unravel what happened and who it is. A group of foster care girls are at the center of the drama. Much of the book is a flashback retelling of what happened in the past. It’s a good read. I was entertained the whole time, read it in one sitting.

Are you ever reading a book and hit a line that sends chills up your back? Here is the line that did it for me:

“That was a mistake,” Jessica said.

Norah rolled over in bed. “What was?”

“Telling her what you were afraid of,” Jessica said. “One day, that will come back to bite you.”

Boy were those words so true. So we have a story following three foster kids and a mystery character/narrator. I actually enjoyed having this mystery character in the story format. It added to the suspense and really had me going all different directions on who it was and what their background meant to solving the riddle of "who dun it". The author could not have written a more hated, despicable character than Miss Fairchild, which was perfect for her role in everything. And just when you think you have it all figured out, you're thrown a twist you won't see coming.

This is a heavily character driven story, but one that's engaging and keeps you on the seat of your chair trying to solve all of the many riddles.

My thanks to Sally Hepworth, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3 women, who were once 3 terrified little girls, look to their troubled past and confront the woman to blame for their trauma.

This book was GOOD. This was my first Sally Hepworth novel and she did not disappoint. Full of twists I wasn’t prepared for. I’m a girl who enjoys short chapters and different points of view and this book delivered both.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So good, start to finish. I was hooked on the story line and love how it all played out. Lots of twist and turns some of which I wasn't expecting. Would recommend. A solid thriller. There were times it was very dark and the child violence was hard to stomach. I did find myself skipping through a few parts but overall enjoyed.

I really enjoyed this fast paced thrill ride! Miss Fairchild was a welcome addition to a great cast of characters. The writing was so well done, I had mental images of each character in my head which made it so much more real!
I was sure I knew how things would end, but nope! A turn of events at the end was delightful!

Loved this quick read. Thankful for the ARC!

DNFed - I chose to DNF this book in the past. I am typing as a review so it doesn’t harm my %. I haven’t chose to pick the title back up.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

A Haunting and Heartfelt Tale

Darling Girls is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of trauma, friendship, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Sally Hepworth masterfully weaves together a gripping narrative that is both haunting and heartwarming.

The three main characters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, are complex and well-developed. Their bond, forged in the crucible of their shared past, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The author skillfully explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and the ways in which it can shape their lives.

The dual timelines, alternating between the past and the present, create a sense of suspense and mystery. The gradual unveiling of the dark secrets of Wild Meadows keeps the reader engaged.

While the pacing is somewhat deliberate, it allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships. The ending, though bittersweet, is satisfying and leaves a lasting impression.

The audiobook narration for Darling Girls is exceptional. The narrator skillfully brings the three distinct voices of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia to life, enhancing the listening experience and making the characters even more relatable.

Darling Girls is a powerful and poignant novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio darlinggirls #sallyhepworth

A dark and riveting exploration of complicated family ties, shared trauma, and the secrets we keep to survive. The story follows three women—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who were all raised by the enigmatic and deeply flawed Dr. Darling. When they reunite after his death for the reading of his will, long-buried truths surface, forcing them to confront the past and the impact he had on their lives.

Hepworth masterfully intertwines the perspectives of the three women, creating a layered narrative that alternates between the past and present. The psychological tension is palpable as each chapter peels back new layers of manipulation, love, and betrayal. With her trademark ability to balance emotional depth with suspense, Hepworth keeps readers hooked until the shocking conclusion.

Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers and family dramas, The Darling Girls is an intense, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

I’m a little late to the Sally Hepworth party, but after reading this I needed to dive into the back list. It was mysterious without being scary and kept me guessing. I really enjoyed it.