When I say I GASPED….

Read this book if you like:
👯‍♀️ Found Family
🔍 Mysteries
#️⃣ Multiple POV
⏳ past and present timelines
🤯 Shocking Reveals

This book was soooo incredibly bingeable and was soooo well written and with the changing POV’s it kept me thoroughly entertained!

This felt different, in a good way, from Sally’s prior stories I’ve read and like her others, this was full of mystery, suspense, and questioning everything especially with the bouncing between POVs.

I truly loved the found family aspect between the girls and their fierce devotion to each other which, with a foster parent like they had, no clue why they were so bonded.

I loved reading and wondering what was coming next, because man, did the foster mom serve suspicion and doubt!

I don’t want to say much more, but dang… Buckle up for a bingeable mystery!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for my review!

I remember seeing this ARC come available months and months ago on NetGalley and squealing! I had so much fun reading The Soulmate last year and really looked forward to Darling Girls. Let’s get into it-

In Darling Girls, we follow three FMCs, former foster sisters who’ve adopted each other into their adult families. They all are having a hard time with their personal lives when they are called back to the small town where they lived in a foster home together when a body is found on the premises. Told partially in the present timeline and partially in flashbacks to their time together in their foster home, the truth behind their childhood home comes to light as everyone works toward solving the mystery- whose body is buried at the home, and who buried them?

Like Hepworth’s previous books, I enjoyed this one! There were a few twists throughout that were entertaining to puzzle out. One part I really liked was the sisters’ support and devotion to each other despite the outside pressure on them to turn on each other! That said, a few of the reveals made the disbelief suspension strain too hard, particularly one right at the 50% mark. It just made a big part of the previous story completely unbelievable! Aside from that plot issue, I did feel fatigued by the lack of character development throughout most of the book. While most of the characters had turned their issues around by the ending, they were all their own worst enemies for the vast majority of the book and it got repetitive along the way. Lastly for criticism, some parts of this book are meant to justify the antagonist’s monstrous behavior. Though this is clarified at the end of the story, it was still hard to stomach.

Overall I liked this book and recommend it to readers who have read and liked Hepworth’s previous books. Though this will not be a top-rated mystery for the year for me, I will continue reading more books from Hepworth in the future!

hat a wild ride! 😱
Thank you, St Martins Press, for the gifted copy of Darling Girls {partner}

Genre: Mystery
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 4.23.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

“Every human being needs someone… one person that’s in your corner. One person who’s yours.”

Honestly, I have not always loved Sally Hepworth’s books - they’ve always almost been what I was looking for but never left me overflowing with praise. I was usually left feeling like she had the potential for a great novel, but it was missing something. So, I was unsure about reading her newest book, Darling Girls.

But, y’all this was THE book. Hepworth left me wholly floored, and I felt like she was a whole new writer. Darling Girls is my new favorite. It was a roller coaster ride of twists that had me eagerly flipping the pages on my kindle, all the way to that super satisfying ending. And that ending? WOW. I was blown away by how Hepworth wrote this book and absolutely can’t wait to see what she writes next.

🗣️ Three POVs
👏🏼 Perfect pacing
🤯 That last chapter
🤩 Addicting

I recommend reading Darling Girls if you’re in the mood for a dark mystery!


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#DarlingGirls #SallyHepworth #stmartinspress

I have always enjoyed Sally Hepworth's books and this one was no exception!

The story was told in such a way that twists and turns developed over time with a series of surprises versus one big twist at the end. I enjoyed the pacing as well as the different narrators throughout. Some of the twists I saw coming but others most caught me off guard.

If you are a fan of suspense and family drama this is a great read for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this new book by Sally Hepworth! I have enjoyed all of the books I've read by this author, and this one was no exception. I was a little nervous about how the foster care aspect of this book would be handled, as a social worker who used to work in that field. Sadly, there are people who get into fostering for the wrong reasons. The compelling part of this book was the connection the three girls had. I really enjoyed reading how their bond grew as they were each placed into the home and supported each other. I really liked the mystery part of this book and I definitely felt like there was some twists I wasn't expecting (obviously the best kind)! I will continue to read books by Sally Hepworth and will definitely recommend this one!

WOW... Just WOW! This is Ms Hepworth's best book yet and she writes wonderful books. This one will blow your mind. A MUST READ for thriller lovers.

We start out in a Psychiatrist's office. Someone is telling him about things that happened in their life. Throughout this story you hear more and more about this sad life. About the abuse she endured. About the horrendous things that were done to her.

There are three girls, Jessica, Norah(with a H), and Alicia. These girls are sisters. Not by blood but by life. By their lives as foster children. They were all living with Miss Fairchild. Jessica from the age of four. Norah and Alicia were a little older. Teens/preteens. Miss Fairchild was so good to Jessica until she wasn't. She could be the meanest most cruel person ever. If she found out your deepest fears. Your deepest joys. Anything that she could use against you she delighted in. She would love you dearly until she didn't....

You meet Jessica, Norah, and Alicia as adults. They are called back to the place they had lived. To the town where they had been living and fostered twenty-five years ago. There is a dead body buried under the home they lived in. Bones of a baby girl.

This book will keep you turning pages. Keep you on edge and in tears. What these girls went through is horrible. How they managed to grow up and be somewhat successful is amazing. After all they endured they have to go back to face something more. Something that may do them in. May be the most painful thing yet...

This book keeps you guess all the way. I figured out who was talking to the psychiatrist but that is about all. I came close with who the bones belonged too. But there are so many twists and turns that I was left gasping after the last word. After I finished this book. It's one that you won't forget soon. How Ms Hepworth can outdo this one will be something else indeed. This book is brilliantly written. Told in a way as to keep you turning the pages. You won't want it to end until every question is answered. You will get all of that and more.

Thank you #NetGalley, #SallyHepworth, #StMartinsPress, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this wonderful book.

Five huge stars and the highest recommendation. You don't want to pass this one up.

This is my first novel by Sally Hepworth and will not be my last! This book grabbed me from the beginning and I was unable to put it down, not to mention the last chapter had my jaw on the ground. This is story is told from multiple points of view and has chapters in the past and present.

This story follows three girls who grew up in foster care together and the bond they formed trying to survive during their time with Miss Fairchild. When a body is found under the home they shared as children, they return to town as witnesses but also potential suspects.

Sally Hepworth's "Darling Girls" takes readers on a journey through the complexities of female friendship and the lasting impact of shared secrets. Set against an idyllic farming estate, the novel follows the lives of three childhood friends, whose bond is tested when a dark secret from their past resurfaces.

The strength of the novel lies in its exploration of the complexities of female friendship. Hepworth captures the nuances of the relationships between Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, portraying the highs and lows of their bond with authenticity and empathy. Each character is flawed yet relatable, grappling with their own insecurities and desires, and their interactions drive much of the novel's emotional resonance.

However, despite the compelling character dynamics, "Darling Girls" ultimately suffers from pacing issues. The alternating timelines between past and present can feel disjointed at times, interrupting the flow of the story and detracting from the overall narrative momentum. Additionally, the resolution of the central mystery feels rushed and lacks the emotional impact that one would expect from such a climactic moment.

That being said, "Darling Girls" still offers an engaging and thought-provoking read. Hepworth's portrayal of life is vivid and immersive, and her exploration of themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness will resonate with readers. While it may not be groundbreaking, "Darling Girls" is a solid addition to the contemporary fiction genre, offering an entertaining blend of mystery, drama, and heartfelt emotion.

Darling Girls is the latest psychological mystery by Sally Hepworth that keeps the reader turning the pages.

The author’s previous book, The Soulmate, was a five-star read for me so I was very excited that St. Martin’s Press gave me an Advance Reader Copy of Sally’s most recent book.

This book publishes on April 23, 2024.

Darling Girls is told from different perspectives: Jessica, Norah and Alicia are all bonded together through sisterhood. These girls all had traumatic upbringings and were raised by their foster mother, Miss Fairchild. However, Miss Fairchild is a bit of an evil stepmother. She has strict rules that cause the girls to try to escape. One day, many years later, the girls hear about a body being discovered under Miss Fairchild’s home. This causes them to be the subject of the investigation and brings up many memories of the past.

The book alternates between the past and the present and the perspectives of the different girls along with the mysterious voice of someone at a therapy session. Although I did not find this confusing, I tend to enjoy books with fewer character perspectives/flashing back and forth.

The author did a great job executing the ending of the story and did an excellent job building anticipation. However, some of the parts with Mrs. Fairchild made me uncomfortable at times so I would make sure that you check the trigger warnings (such as child abuse). Additionally, some of these parts tended to slow down my reading and made this a four-star book for me instead of a five star book.

I do love this author and will continue to read anything that she puts out into the world. She has a way of crafting a suspenseful environment that keeps the reader guessing.

Thank you again to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author, Sally Hepworth, for gifting me this early copy of the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an eArc copy of Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth.

Sally Hepworth is always guaranteed to pull me out of a reading slump, and I was in deep! I'm reading a lot of reviews that are upset for multiple reasons - depiction of child abuse, and how it didn't feel like other SH titles. The child abuse depicted in the story is not descriptive or in it just for the shock value, it adds value to the story, but everyone will have their own triggers, so be aware of that trigger warning.

The story is centred around three foster sisters who are called to return to their hometown when human bones are found under their foster house of horrors, as they participate in the investigation we visit multiple timelines that show us how these three became sisters through shared trauma.

I was hooked from the first chapter and finished the book in under two days, which is always a sign of an engaging read. A fast-paced read, with an unguessable ending, likable characters, and characters you will hate with a passion. I never skip a Sally Hepworth, but I think this is my favourite of hers so far.
WTG on being a Book of the Month Pick for April 2024!

What a phone call to receive.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia all received a call from a detective asking that they meet at their childhood home to discuss a discovery of bones under it.

Their childhood home was a foster home they lived in under the "loving" care of Miss Fairchild. In actuality, she wasn't loving. She was a task master and abusive.

We found out from each character in alternating chapters what went on at that house, and we then move to present day.

Miss Hepworth keeps you intrigued with the intense happenings from their childhood under the care of Miss Fairchild.

Present day was intense too as you will try as I did to figure out whose bones they were and what Miss Fairchild was planning to do them now when she showed up for questioning by the police about the finding.

Will you figure out whose bones they are?

Surprise after surprise - twist after twist - with the ending one being the best.

You won’t want to put the book down even though the chapters about their time in foster care are unsettling and upsetting.

This is Ms. Hepworth's best yet. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

In the book Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth we meet Jessica Alicia and Norah with an H three foster kids that come to live with Miss Fairchild at her home Wild Meadows for different reasons but all victims of her narcissism. They’re all grown and have different levels of success Jessica has a million dollars business Alicia is a caring loving social worker in Nora is a caring dog owner with slight anger issues. They put their life in Port Arthur behind them or at least they thought they did until the day they get a call from Detectives saying a small child’s body was found under the house. They all travel back to their childhood of horrible memories but are still not prepared for the secrets lies and coverups they were told involved in and will ultimately be responsible and putting an end to it. There is a humongous twist at the very tail end of this book that may not blow most peoples minds but OMG if it didn’t blow mine. I listen to the audible book with Jessica Clark narrating and she did a superb job I love books by Sally Hepworth and do believe this one is my favorite although this book covers a lot of emotional and psychological abuse the most acute child abuse is talked about in passing and isn’t really focused on I found this book humorous serious thrilling and well put together I absolutely loved it! I had the Kindle book as well and started reading it there but once I started the audiobook there was no question how I was going to finish I just want to reiterate what a great job the narrator did. I want to thank McMillan publishing and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This was my first book by Sally Hepworth and what I loved about this book is that I feel like it was quietly sinister. Throughout a majority of the book, I felt like I was just waiting for the big bombshell to drop. Obviously, you find out in the book description that there is an unidentified body found under the foster home but as the book develops, the mystery grows and grows.

Miss Fairchild is the perfect evil character. Before you start the book, you know that she is going to be evil. But, she tries to throw you off by seeming to be the most idyllic foster mother to Jessica. Think Miss Honey in Mathilda. And then she is very much not Miss Honey like.

The bond between the sisters was my favorite part of this story. They were brought together by terrible situations and continued to fight for each other against everything that got in their way.

This story, to me, was less of a thriller than I thought it would be. There was a mystery, for sure, but I didn't gasp when the resolution came around.

Overall, a really good story. I would recommend this to mystery-lovers.

This book quickly sucked me in with its unique plot, multiple POVs, and suspenseful nature. This was my first Sally Hepworth read and it did not disappoint!!

The story alternates between four perspectives (Jessica, Alicia, Norah, and Miss Fairchild). It flashes back to the past, detailing Jessica, Alicia, and Norah’s time as foster children under the “care” of Miss Fairchild. It does a good job at discussing the psychological turmoil of abuse, the power of manipulation, and complicated relationships.

For the most part, it held my attention, but I did find parts of the story to feel a bit repetitive. Overall, a unique read! I look forward to checking out other works by this author.

Huge thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC! All opinions are my own.

Generally speaking, I rate most thrillers I read as 3 stars. They are entertaining while I am reading them, but they tend to be formulaic and very rarely ever surprise me. That is not the case with Darling Girls. This was a propulsive read from beginning to end. Jessica, Norah and Alicia are all very flawed characters as adults, but you feel for the children that they were. The story is told in chapters that alternate between the 3 girls’ POV as well as between the present and the past. While I am giving the book 4 stars overall, I would like to award the final chapter 5 stars. It absolutely shocked me and I never even saw it coming.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Darling Girls. Go place your pre-order now. Place a hold at your library. Do whatever you need to do to get your hands on this book.

Good for fans of The Night Swim, The Night She Disappeared and The Guest List.

I always look forward to Sally Hepworths new books. This did not disappoint! Page turning and exciting every step of the way. I enjoyed more than some of her more recent books and will be recommending to friends.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

“A thriller page-turner of sisterhood, secrets, love, and murder” indeed!

Sally Hepworth has been a hit or miss author for me in the past, but I’m so glad I gave her another chance because I ended up really enjoying this upcoming release! I’m not sure how to best describe the genre of this book…it was less thriller and more fast-paced literary mystery. This story follows Jessica, Norah, and Alicia – three former foster children and sisters by choice. They previously lived together at Miss. Fairchild’s foster home. An idyllic home on the outside, the same can’t be said for what went on within the home. Miss. Fairchild was an incredibly cruel and unpredictable foster mother towards her young wards. They were eventually able to escape the home and continue to be incredibly close in adulthood, but the shadow/trauma of their time with Miss. Fairchild continues to follow them and effect them in different ways. When human bones are found on the site of their former foster home, the three are called back to the site and are forced to face their trauma head on. Told in alternating timelines (“present day" and "before"), the three are put to the test to solve the mystery behind the mysterious remains.

This had me completely captivated from start to finish. The characters were so flawed and dynamic. Despite having some shared experiences, it was very interesting to see the way the three women coped differently with their trauma. The mystery itself was very slow burn, and I genuinely didn't expect this to take the turns that it did. And that ending?! I was GAGGED.

The only reason why I didn't rate this 5 stars was because the pacing/intrigued dipped slightly in the middle for me. Otherwise, this was such a solid read! I’m definitely excited to pick up more books from Sally Hepworth going forward.

This book deals with a ton of heavy themes/content, so I will include a list of CWs after release day!

Oh wow!! Sally Hepworth always delivers!This was so engaging yet disturbing!

Darling Girls is about three young ladies who grew up in the foster system. They were taken away from their family tragedies and sent to live with Miss Fairchild. They were told that they were so lucky to live with her, but were they really? All of the disturbing events of their childhoods come out after a body is found buried under their foster home. Maybe they weren’t so lucky after all.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

It's possible this is my favorite Hepworth yet!!!

I wasn't sure where we were going with the "Darling Girls" and thought I had it figured out but nope, sure didn't!

Definitely a stand out on my shelf!

🏡 T W I S T E D T U E S D A Y 🏡 featuring “Darling Girls” by Sally Hepworth!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

3 foster children turned sisters have always been told just how lucky they are. They were all taken in by their charming foster mother Miss Fairchild and lived in a beautiful farmhouse called Wild Meadows that offered them everything that they needed for a wonderful life. But this house could be a house of horrors at times because Miss Fairchild had strict rules and did not like being crossed. She could be nasty, manipulative, sinister and vindictive at times and she knew how to psychologically torture the girls when she didn’t get her way.

Finally the sisters band together and flee from Wild Meadows, never to see Miss Fairchild again … but forever haunted by what went on in that house. Now decades later, bones have been found underneath Wild Meadows and the girls are called in for questioning. Whose body could be underneath the house?? And will they have to come face to face with Miss Fairchild again?!

This book had SO many layers to it, and not only was it hauntingly beautiful, but disturbing to its core. The evilness of Miss Fairchild towards these poor girls who have suffered so much loss and trauma is so dark and twisted! It is heavy, gut wrenching, emotional and distressing! But most importantly it is VERY powerful and sends a message and I loved every second of it!

Thank you kindly to @sallyhepworth @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on April 23, 2024!