Unfortunate circumstances bring three young girls together under the care of Holly Fairchild, a foster mother who appears to be ideal. Unfortunately she is not what she seems as the girls bond together in order to escape Miss Fairchild’s wrath. They remain close even in adulthood, considering themselves sisters. They find themselves returning to their childhood home after the police discover a body on the property. Old memories and feelings surface forcing the women to confront their past as well as the woman that made their lives a living hell.

This was an entertaining story told from multiple perspectives that slowly unravels a dark secret. Hepworth is known for her tense domestic dramas. This one was a little different from her other books but just as riveting. I really enjoyed the way the story was told alternating perspectives and time lines. This can be a challenge sometimes for writers but she does a splendid job balancing these.

4 ⭐️

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

So enjoyed this read! This is a category I lovingly call “beach read thriller”—which basically means a thriller that’s a perfect book for your girls trip. Not concert it’ll haunt your dreams, but engrossing enough to be the perfect read at the beach (or pool)! I recommend!

I devoured this novel! Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are torn from reality and brought back to their tumultuous childhood when human remains are found on the grounds of Wild Meadows. The three foster sisters travel back to provide insight for investigators, all while trying not to get sucked back into the trauma of their upbringings. Bouncing between past and present, and the perspective of all three girls, the story of the past is gradually brought to light and the events of the past catch up to them. But who is sharing the truth? And are they hiding secrets that could come back to bite them?

I just could not put this book down. I was sucked in right from the beginning and I truly had no idea what was going to happen. I love a good mystery that keeps me guessing, and this time, Sally Hepworth executed a great mystery. Highly recommend.

I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook. I thought the narration was great, and the listening experience was wonderful!

Interesting plot in the latest book by Sally Hepworth. As young children, Jessica, Norah and Alicia were each in foster care. One by one they are fostered by Miss Fairchild, who brings them home to her farming estate. Jessica spends quite some time with Miss Fairchild and finds her to be a very loving mother, but once Norah arrives, things start to change. Miss Fairchild becomes very strict and often unpredictable. The girls are frightened of breaking her rules, but are often unsure of what the rules are or how they apply. Once Alicia joins them, this only gets worse.

As the girls grow older, they vow to get away from Miss Fairchild as soon as they can. They finally manage their escape, and hope never to see her again.

Told as a story in two timelines, we move between hearing from the girls as young children and then teenagers, interspersed with finding out about them as adults. When a body is found under the home they grew up in, the girls are forced to face up to some of the things that they saw, heard and did when they lived with Miss Fairfield. They are questioned by police, in the hope of finding out who the body is. But are the girls themselves suspects?

I found the writing very good in this novel - with very believable characters. The girls are portrayed as desperate at times and scared at others, and I felt very sorry for their situation. Miss Fairfield was a very manipulative character, and she psychologically scars the girls by some of the things that she does. I kept trying to understand her sudden changes of mood and behavior and trying to determine why she behaved the way she does. All is eventually revealed. I had several theories as to who the body belonged to, and what happened to them, but I didn’t realize the plot twists until the very end as the story unfolded. I enjoyed not being able to guess what is going on!

The narrator did an excellent job keeping the 'voices' all different, especially for the young girls. There was no confusion as to who was speaking, or which timeline was involved.

With a lot of dark emotions this was a very compelling read.

After reading several previous releases by this author, I was very excited for Darling Girls. Audiobook is my preferred format, but was able to have it on audio and print. Many readers will enjoy this one with sisters that are foster children. However this is about the extent of my enjoyment, as the story didn’t seem to keep me drawn in nor did I feel like the cover match with what I was hearing. I will say the last chapter might make people reconsider their opinion, so I am glad I finished. Sadly, this wasn’t a favorite by the author.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC.

This is a story about 3 girls who were placed in the same foster home (Ms. Fairchild) and became sisters. On the outside it appears that Ms. Fairchild is a wonderful foster mother. However, behind closed doors she is abusive. She is strategic in her abuse so that nothing is quite reportable. Once the women are adults human bones are found under the home they once lived. An investigation ensues and secrets unfold.

This story is told from the perspective of 4 different people and bounces back and forth between past and present. I loved the format of the book. The story didn’t quite capture my interest and attention like other books of the same genre.

Hmmm, Sally Hepworth's books are always a hit or miss for me, however I will always give her books a try. Darling Girls was a miss unfortunately. I found the storyline difficult to follow and the narrator just wasn't for me personally. Excited to read more from Sally in the future!

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have had a fortunate life. Brought in as young children and raised by Miss Fairchild, the three foster children from separate families form the impenetrable bond of sisterhood. But their childhood was anything but idyllic. Miss Fairchild's love turns to abuse when she doesn't have the adoration of the girls. When the three break away from her, they thought they left their horrible past behind. That is until a body is found on the farm grounds where they grew up.

Holy moly, this story is captivating! I honestly could not put it down and read it in like two days. I only wish I had read it sooner. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are great characters and the mystery will definitely leave you guessing until the end! This story is full of twists and turns. Like I said, I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Jessica Clarke was a fantastic narrator, and I definitely recommend this book.

This book is such a wild ride! Nothing like I was expecting and just so enthralling! I was invested from page one and it didn't let up until the end!!

This story covers three foster girls who end up at Wild Meadows Farm. Each girl learns self-survival and then slowly reaches out to form a bond with each other.

Years later, a crime is discovered that will pull them all together again.

This is my fourth book by this author, and out of the four, one stood out: The Good Sister.

While this book kept me curious and listening, some of that was due to a good narrator. I love listening while I work around the house, and even if a book moves slowly, it doesn't concern me as much.

The chapters did include the points of view of each girl, which was nice. But some parts of their stories were interesting, and some, unfortunately, weren’t surprising since I’ve grown to expect certain treatment at these institutions.

As I rounded to the finish line, I was still curious but felt a little 𝓱𝓸-𝓱𝓾𝓶, 𝓸𝓱, 𝓸𝓴𝓪𝔂, 𝓘’𝓶 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽’𝓼 𝓶𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓾𝓹 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘 𝔀𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓭𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓽. Then I put my Kindle down.

Not a remarkable story, but okay.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a chance to listen to this book before publication.

This mystery novel is about three foster sisters brought together again following a grisly discovery at the site of the home where they endured the wrath of a cruel foster mother. It's full of shocking twists as decades of secrets are uncovered.

I knew that given the premise of the book, there would be some content that would be hard to stomach. But it's the mistreatment of extremely young kids that was too much for me 😭 Amazing story, though, and it was full of surprises until the very end. Great audiobook narration.

Darling Girls follows the lives of three “sisters”—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—brought together in a picturesque foster home belonging to Miss Fairchild. Initially, the tranquil surroundings offer a glimmer of hope for a better future, but it soon becomes apparent that their new home is anything but serene. As secrets unravel and tensions escalate, the girls know they must escape, but how?

As adults, these three women still consider themselves sisters. They are always available to support each other in everything, especially their messed-up lives that are impacted by their past. When a body is found on Wild Meadows, Miss Fairchild’s property, the women are forced to return to Port Agatha, a trip they all dread. Now, they must confront their past traumas and navigate the treacherous dynamics of their foster family.

Hepworth masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. The reader relives the trauma as memories are recounted. The characters are richly drawn, each grappling with their demons and insecurities, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. The author’s vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, immersing readers in the eerie atmosphere of the foster home and the lasting effects that are still in play in these women’s lives in the present.

One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the enduring impact of childhood trauma. Hepworth skillfully navigates themes of identity, resilience, and the search for belonging.

“Darling Girls” is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful fiction. With its compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and atmospheric setting, this novel will keep readers hooked until the very end. It is a haunting tale with an unexpected ending that will linger in readers’ minds long after they turn the final page.

Jessica Clark’s skillful narration adds depth and dimension to Sally Hepworth’s compelling narrative. Through her adept storytelling and nuanced character performances, she brings each character to life, immersing listeners in the emotional complexity of their journeys. Clark’s ability to capture the essence of each character enhances the listener’s experience, drawing them deeper into the gripping tale of suspense and intrigue. I loved it!!

To be fair, I only made it to 40% of this book. However, I found the amount of child abuse in this book unreadable and I could not continue. This book reminded me a lot of Alice Feeney’s I Know Who You Are in terms of its use of child abuse as a shock factor. I know many people love Hepworth’s books, but I could not stomach this one.

I really loved this book. I had never read anything by this author before but I will now. There were lots of twists and I did not see the end coming.

Read Completed 4/24/24 | 3.75 stars
Sally Hepworth can be hit or miss for me, but I was interested in trying DARLING GIRLS and I'm glad I read it! At some points it felt a bit more drama than thriller, really focusing on the characters of the book and while it was engaging, it wasn't super fast paced or heart-pounding. Some of the pacing was a little off for me at times, but it wasn't in a bad way. It just wasn't quite what I was expecting and there were some lulls, but I enjoyed getting to know the characters and what their stories were.

I don't always love the "troubled kids in a foster home" thriller trope because I feel like it's overly used and honestly, I don't love reading all of the abuse that authors tend to include with it. (Can we have some more nice foster home stories? I know both exist. Though I guess nice stories don't make good thrillers.) I did really love how the sisters came together and bonded so tightly after what they all went through in their lives. I think the one "complaint" I had about the book was that SO much of it took place in the past. We spend a lot of time with the girls as their stories unfold in the past and I always have a little bit of a hard time when we spend more time in the past than the present, but it really was necessary and where most of the plot took place in the book. I didn't dislike it but I did miss spending more time with them all in the present day.

The ending came with an extra punch that surprised me and I was happy to see one more exciting element as the book closed. There were a lot of tough topics in this book which makes it kind of hard to read and rate sometimes, but this one left me with more positive feelings and I liked that we got to root for the sisters and we didn't get left with total despair.

If you liked this, read... No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall, Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

All the stars for that utterly clever and wicked ending!

Oh my goodness! It’s been a while since I’ve had a five star thriller, but this deserves all the hype and attention!

Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Synopsis –

Foster sisters Jessica, Norah & Alicia have always been told that they were lucky to have grown up in the Wild Meadows foster home run by Miss Fairchild. But only they knew what it really was. As they left Wild Meadows under dire circumstances & escaped Miss Fairchild’s hold on them, her presence would never cease to exist in their lives. When some human bones are discovered under the building they were fostered in, the 3 sisters become key witnesses in the case. Were any of them killers?

Review -

The narrator Jessica Clarke was exemplary as she multiplexed her voice between the 3 sisters, Miss Fairchild and several other characters. It was an excellent audiobook that escalated my enjoyment.

Holy moly! What a brilliant plot construction and execution of a classic misdirection by the author. As the narratives shifted between the sisters’ POVs from the past and present, I was instantly sucked into their world of foster care and came under the spell of Miss Fairchild.

Hepworth boldly incorporates the horrors foster children endure and portrays their reverberating consequences through the characters of the 3 sisters. There are several elements at play here – sister dynamics, jealousy, an obsessive and controlling care giver with unpredictable behavioral patterns, impossible rules and terrifying retribution, that were hard to stomach.

I loved how the girls become each other’s rocks, developing a strong bond and sisterhood - amidst the trauma and unthinkable abuse they suffered. I cared for them deeply and really hoped they would turn out ok as adults.

The highlight of the thriller is how the present and the past collide, unearthing several secrets, literally hidden under the foster home’s basement. Until that happens though, let me warn you - not a single person is to be trusted nor anything is to be believed. You will end up slapping you forehead if you do!

With themes of child abuse/neglect, gaslighting, avoidant and toxic attachments, Hepworth has delivered an expertly crafted domestic thriller, that is sure to take you on a twisty ride, with a jaw-dropping final plunge into that shockingly cold ice water! So gear up!

A treat for psychological thriller lovers!

I was really proud of myself for figuring this one out, but of course I should have realized that the true twist would come within the last few pages of the book! This was a dark and twisty domestic thriller about three girls in foster care who go back to the town in which they were fostered after a police investigation begins when bones are found at their the site of their old foster home. Their former foster mother, Miss Fairchild, was emotionally and psychologically abusive, leaving the reader to wonder who the bones belonged to, and how they fit into the story. It was told in the point of view of the three sisters; Jessica, the perfectionist, Norah, the one with rage problems, and Alicia, who has issues with self-worth. The story is also jumps back and forth from the past to now. I found it to be extremely faced paced and kept me enthralled- I could not wait to figure out how the mystery was solved. The twists were great, and I loved the ending. This is a very dark book with difficult subject matter, therefore it might be beneficial to read about trigger warnings prior to reading if needed. The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing all the different characters to life. The narrator kept it interesting, and made me want to keep listening because I couldn't wait to hear more of the story. Overall, I enjoyed my time with this one, and will continue to read any and all Sally Hepworth books in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

When life hands you lemons, be a nasty, manipulative person? This was a perfectly fine thriller. It had intrigue and madness, but also too many characters. I struggled to keep them all straight. The main theme that stood out to me is that there was a ton of unaddressed mental illness in all of them. And in the end, why is all the child abuse happening?!

The audiobook was narrated by Jessica Clarke. She was easily understood at faster speeds, but lacked difference in the character voices.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and author Sally Hepworth for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Good balance between past and present, as well as the multiple perspectives.

While this was a good binge, some moments are heavy considering the subject involved.

Some predictable components to the novel, but still had some surprising twists!

Enjoyed the narrator.

This book is so full of dysfunction it was hard to keep up, but entertaining none-the-less. Without spoiling anything, just know - there are true villains out there in the world, and the one in this book certainly did not get what they deserved. While the exact twist at the end was surprising, a lot of the plot was predictable. I will say it did keep me engrossed, and I finished this book within a few hours. Overall, there was a little bit too much going on for me, but I wouldn't say it was enjoyable; just not my favorite thriller/suspense novel.