I loved the characters & their development Sally Hepworth brought to life. I initially had a hard time keeping everyone straight, but eventually their personalities, each being so unique, became familiar. It was also difficult to read of the abuse the girls sustained from a very mentally deranged, emotionally depraved foster mother , who seemed to have everyone under her thumb. If you like resolution, read this! The ending brought me joy!

This is a good one - as long as you go in with the right expectations. I went in with absolutely none, but now that I've finished and seen that it is promoted as a thriller or mystery, I can see how it might seem lacking if you're expecting a typical whodunit. Not that there are no moments of thrills or mystery, but the central theme here is working through childhood trauma by looking back at what actually happened with more data and an adult perspective. There is absolutely a <spoiler>Usual Suspects style thread of a story told to a therapist with a growing list of parallels to the parts we know to be true</spoiler>, but the central story of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia stands on its own without it. The audiobook makes this a bit challenging by lacking a transition to indicate that the therapy sessions are different from the rest of the chapters with alternating narration, but that is likely intentional since it builds suspense about the source and truth of the story told there.

The narrator does a good job of keeping things on track without doing different voices for the characters - the phrasing generally makes it clear who's talking (or whose inner monologue we're hearing). There are some Aussieisms, and for Americans the casual relationship between the police and the central characters will seem implausible - but the children's services and legal systems are similar enough that US readers shouldn't have any trouble following the action.

This is a great book club pick, since it opens up discussion about parenthood, childhood trauma, and the various coping mechanisms used by the characters - just be aware that there are non-explicit scenes of <spoiler>sexual abuse, child abuse, and a character pressured into sharing intimate photos online</spoiler> if those are hard limits for anyone in your group.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Let me start by saying Sally Hepworth can be a hit or miss for me. This story however was a HIT! The story of foster children who have been bonded together by their time in foster care. They later come back together to help solve the mystery of a dead body at their former home. This was a solid four star read.

Darling Girls is a chilling domestic thriller that masterfully blends psychological suspense with emotional depth. The story follows three foster sisters—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who return to their childhood home when skeletal remains are uncovered beneath its floorboards. Hepworth expertly alternates between past and present, unraveling the carefully buried traumas of their upbringing under the harsh foster mother, Miss Fairchild  .
The novel is a compelling page-turner: short chapters and propulsive plotting keep you hooked through unexpected twists and reveals  . The dynamics among the sisters are the emotional heart of the story, capturing their shared trauma, loyalty, and secrets with haunting clarity  .

That said, some readers have found the pacing slightly uneven, particularly toward the final reveal, and a few narrative threads feel rushed .

“The timing of these shifts works well… those twists? They’re big, and one in particular made me gasp out loud”  
“It’s full of secrets and suspense… a fast-paced read that had me gripped right to the last page”  

In summary:
• Strengths: Atmospheric tension, emotionally resonant sister dynamics, lean pacing, and powerful twists.
• Minor flaws: Slightly uneven pacing and a few rushed resolutions.

If you’re a fan of psychological domestic thrillers—especially ones with strong female leads and dark family secrets—Darling Girls is a gripping, emotionally rich read that lingers well after the final page.

Sally Hepworth masterfully creates suspense as well as characters that are both resilient and raw. The shifting perspectives and dual timelines keep the narrative suspenseful, and the underlying themes of loyalty and healing give the story real heart. With its chilling premise and strong female leads, Darling Girls is both a page-turner and a powerful exploration of what it means to protect one's family.

4.5 stars [Loved it]

This was such a unique thriller / mystery read. I loved listening to the foster sisters stories and the crazy things that happened. The narrator was really good and kept me wanting more. That twist at the end actually shocked me, which was a bonus! Highly recommend picking up this one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Darling Girls follows three foster sisters who were raised by Miss Fairchild, a woman who appeared to be the perfect, loving, beautiful foster mother. But she was extremely abusive (seriously, it was genuinely upsetting to read about). Although they grew up in a nightmare of a house, they still managed to break out and become… well not FUNCTIONING adults, but they’re alive and they remain extremely close. They’ve spent years running from their past, but when a body is found buried under Miss Fairchild’s house they’re forced to come back home, face both their shared and individual histories, and learn exactly why there’s a body buried under their childhood home.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I was expecting it to be the classic, three star thriller, but I had so much fun with it I even considered giving it 5 stars. The three sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, all felt like real people with fully developed individual backstories and motivations. Miss Fairchild was cartoonishly evil but I didn’t mind at all. I love when writers don’t try to make me feel sorry for their villains (or try to make me think they’re ~morally grey~). Most thrillers’ strengths lie in their plots, but for me when an author chooses to focus on developing their characters this much it pushes what could’ve been a good book to a great book.

I gave Darling Girls four stars instead of 5 because at a certain point it became too far fetched. Thrillers have to be far fetched but some reveals threw me out of story, some were too convenient, and one was so repetitive I stopped being able to take it seriously.

I definitely recommend this book if you’re a thriller lover but I don’t recommend reading it as an audiobook. The existence of a narrator spoils what’s meant to be a big reveal.

This story was not much of a thriller, but more of a domestic suspense. I did really enjoy this book, it was hard to read at times because of the abuses that the girls suffered but we see how they have grown through this and the sister dynamics as well. I liked this one more than The Soulmate. The narrator also did a nice job!

Compelling. Shocking. Tragic. Twisty...

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia - three foster daughters and found sisters - live at Wild Meadows. But the facade of this happy home is deceiving, and there are many strict rules to follow. Miss Fairchild can be, on occasion, a bit temperamental. This foster mother is not one to cross...

"Darling Girls" is the fifth book I have read by Sally Hepworth, and she remains the only mystery-suspense-thriller author I read. I love how she dives into the many aspects of family dynamics in her storytelling. The outcome is a diverse mix of characters, a surprisingly twisty tale, and an Australian accent that comes free with the narrator if you choose the audiobook, like I did. Jessica Clarke's recounting and voicing were spot-on for this one.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia's story is compelling, and told in two timelines: "Before" when they were girls, and "After" twenty-five years later, when it takes on another dimension. Additionally, I craved more about the girls growing up, less about their adulthood, and a much swifter wrap-up.

"Darling Girls" is a quick, engaging, and addictive read or listen. Getting to this ALC took me a while, but it was satisfying and entertaining nonetheless!

3.75⭐

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Sally Hepworth for the gifted ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is a compelling blend of psychological suspense and emotional drama that explores the long-lasting effects of trauma and the complex bonds of sisterhood. The story follows three women—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who grew up together in foster care under the watchful eye of the enigmatic and often unsettling Miss Fairchild. When a body is discovered under the old foster home years later, the women are pulled back into their shared past and forced to confront secrets they thought were buried.

Hepworth does an excellent job of creating tension and weaving in backstory without overwhelming the reader. The dynamics between the “sisters” feel authentic, layered with affection, rivalry, and the scars of their upbringing. The narrative moves swiftly, alternating timelines and perspectives to gradually build suspense.

That said, while the novel is engaging, some plot twists feel a bit too convenient or underdeveloped, and the ending, though satisfying in some ways, doesn’t quite deliver the punch it seems to be building toward. Character motivations, especially those of Miss Fairchild, could have been explored with more nuance.

Overall, Darling Girls is a solid, entertaining read with a haunting atmosphere and strong emotional core. It may not break new ground in the genre, but it’s a worthwhile pick for fans of character-driven thrillers with a psychological edge.

Sally Hepworth delivers another gripping page-turner with Darling Girls, a twisty psychological drama that dives deep into the complex bonds of sisterhood and the lingering scars of trauma. The story follows three foster sisters—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—whose shared past at Wild Meadows, a seemingly idyllic home for girls, hides dark secrets they’ve spent years trying to escape.

Hepworth balances suspense with heart, weaving past and present timelines to slowly reveal the truth behind their foster mother’s chilling influence. The characters feel real and layered, especially as they grapple with memory, guilt, and loyalty. While the mystery unfolds at a steady pace, the true strength of the novel lies in its emotional depth and the powerful bond between the “sisters.”

A few plot elements felt slightly rushed or underexplored, so I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5—but overall, Darling Girls is a haunting and engaging read. Fans of domestic thrillers and character-driven suspense will find plenty to enjoy here.

I did not finish this book because it was a bit slow for me. The story did not engage me enough to continue reading.

Sally Hepworth delivers another compelling domestic thriller with Darling Girls. The story follows three foster sisters—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—whose past comes back to haunt them. Deep storytelling and psychological suspense.

Sally Hepworth is typically always great! This one fell a little short for me. It started strong, but the twists just weren't there the way I expected. Still a good read, just not my favorite from her.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This book made me want to read more Sally Hepworth, even though I didn't care for this story. The reason this book didn't work for me was definitely a "me" issue. I worked in child protection for many years, and as a result the use of the foster care system/ child abuse as a plot device just didn't work for me. That said, the writing and pacing did work, and I think I would have enjoyed similar twists in a different story line. So, despite my issues with the subject matter, I look forward to reading more Sally Hepworth.

I just finished Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth, and I've read all of her books so I was really excited for a new one. I have to say, this book was a compelling read. That's probably the best way to describe it. The story revolves around three foster sisters named Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who are drawn back to their childhood home after human remains are discovered beneath it. This alone had me thinking of my own childhood home and would I even go back? The narrative alternates between their traumatic past being cared for by a manipulative woman, Miss Fairchild, and their current involvement in the investigation.

One aspect that stood out to me was the intricate and believable character development. Each sister's personality is distinct and deeply affected by their shared past differently, making their bond complicated and authentic. Also, the pacing of the novel is well done, with the suspense building steadily as secrets from their past are unveiled.​ It wasn't groundbreaking but it had her signature voice that I really love.

If you're looking for a psychological drama that delves into the complexities of sisterhood and the long shadows cast by childhood trauma, Darling Girls is worth a read.

Sally Hepworth book are always a guaranteed good read for me. Darling Girls was a domestic suspense novel that delves in the foster care system, sisterly love, and murder. The dual timeline was done really well and the pacing was perfection. The twists were more subtle but the focus really was more on our three main characters as they are faced with their past. I really enjoyed this one!

Sally Hepworth delivers another gripping, emotional thriller with Darling Girls. The story follows three foster sisters—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—whose troubled past comes back to haunt them when human remains are found at their childhood home. As secrets unravel, they’re forced to confront the dark truth about their past and the chilling Miss Fairchild.

Hepworth’s past-and-present storytelling keeps the tension high, and the sisterhood at the heart of the book adds real depth. Just when I thought I had it figured out, twists kept me guessing until the very end.

The narrator was phenomenal and I absolutely loved the audio version!

"How do you deal with your feelings in the real world?"
"You bury them real deep."

"It's unimaginable isn't it; to think that someone would hurt a child?"

The cleverly well plotted Darling Girls by brilliant thriller author Sally Hepworth is proof this writer has spun her own subgenre, which I dub "subtle thriller."

She's able to immerse you into her created world where you feel all the emotions; pain, fear, anger, insecurity, even hunger. By the end your heart is weeping and your mind is blown.

In the present 3 best friends receive the same call from the police, a construction dig has unearthed human bones under their childhood foster home. They need to answer questions, and so we go back to their childhood with them.

We start with Holly Fairchild fostering 4 year old Jessica, a Chinese immigrant orphan. Subtly something is off. Holly tells Jessica she's lucky to be with her, playing into the little girl's insecurities, needing to please Holly. By the time 10 year old Norah shows up Jessica has no plans to share Holly. But Norah's survived her mom's overdose death, creepy touchy foster dads and Holly is just another wall to build her heart around. When sweet innocent Alicia arrives, after her grandma is hospitalized, Jessica and Norah are bonded over Holly's growing odd behavior, and they try to protect her, but soon they all need protection.

I was in awe of voice actress Jessica Clark
embodying the girls from childhood to adult, and then be completely believable as unhinged Holly. It's a masterpiece of voice acting.

The last of the story is not subtle; it is a mind blowing jaw dropping twist. By the end "darling girls" will be the most sinister phrase...and it's not what you think!

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Loved that you were not sure who was narrating till the end. enjoyed the development of characters and how the story unfolded.