A very trauma-laden slow-burn mystery about three foster "sisters" and the abusive foster caretaker who inflicted years of horrific abuse on them. A couple of the twists were a bit too out there, but it was engrossing.

Three sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, receive calls by police to come in for questioning regarding some bones that have been found under the foster house where they lived as children. As they mystery of who the bones belonged to is being solved, the stories of the trauma and abuse that the girls suffered at the hands of their foster mother is brought to light.

This is an intense read with short chapters that alternate between the stories of the three sisters, in the past and in the present. It was very well done with a lot of twists and red herrings. I was able to figure things out and was not as surprised as I hoped I would be by the end - thus a 4 star rating versus 5 stars.

I loved the narrator chosen for this audiobook! The story takes place in Australia and her accent fit perfectly. It made it easier to get into the story in the location where it took place.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of #MyDarlingGirls by #SallyHepworth, narrator #JessicaClarke, in exchange for honest feedback.
-4 stars

OK - this is hands down my favourite Hepworth! I was engaged throughout. The idea of three foster sisters and an evil foster mother felt unique. I loved the twist at the end.

The audio was really well done too!

This was a great audiobook and a pretty quick read. The timelines and the perspectives of each character didn’t get confusing, which is huge because so many authors can’t do that well.
Overall the mystery and twists made for a great read! Highly recommend!

I listened to Darling Girls in one day. It was fantastic! I’m a big fan of Sally Hepworth books and this is one of her best. The characters were wonderfully fleshed out and seeing through their different perspectives is a favorite plot tool of mine. Miss Fairchild was especially interesting! I loved the twists in the story and enjoyed not being able to figure it out before the reveal. Overall, the concept was a fresh take and I think this is going to be a really successful book.

Another 5 star book from Sally Hepworth! What a master storyteller! This book is phenomenal and is one of my favorites this year! A suspenseful journey that had me feeling so many emotions. This is one of those books that you will still think about years down the road. Such a dark side to the foster care system, but the love these sisters shared was heartwarming. I loved all three and their very different personalities. The narration was also fantastic. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillon audio for the copy of this audiobook.

Great storyline! It bounces back and forth from different years and people but this was one of the easiest storylines to follow with an audio book! Draws you in right from the beginning and clear to the end. Don’t want to say too much without giving anything away but it was nice to read a story that isn’t similar to any other story I have read! Will be recommending to my patrons when published!

Copied from Goodreads:
“Darling Girls,” Sally Hepworth’s newest thriller, does not disappoint.
A challenging foster placement has bonded three women as sisters for life. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia do their best to support each other and forget their experiences from 25 years ago. Their adult lives are upended, however, when a skeleton is found under their former foster home and they’re forced to head back to Port Agatha to uncover the truth. Any devoted domestic thriller readers will uncover the truth long before the protagonists. This did not diminish the novel for me, though. Told in alternate points of view and moving between “then” and “now,” the story’s fast placed plot is engaging and enjoyable.

TW: child abuse of all kinds; substance abuse; mental health

“Darling Girls” will be released in the US on April 23, 2024. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for the listening copy to review.

I already read an e-ARC and I loved this book, so I jumped at the opportunity to listen to the audio as well. The narration by Jessica Clarke was very good. I really like her accent and thought her delivery was engaging, emotional, and entertaining. She was able to bring life and feeling into the characters, which I really appreciated!

The book overall was a huge page turner, a psychological mystery and suspense following three foster sisters Jessica, Norah and Alicia. The women are contacted by detectives investigating remains found at Wild Meadows Farm where they lived in the 90s with Miss Fairchild, their foster mother. We hear recollections of abuse from each woman with alternating timeline chapters, showing their life at home and the mysterious event that finally saw them out of the home.

I was wholly invested in these characters, this played very well into my empathy and I literally couldn’t put it down. Showcasing very dark themes of child abuse, neglect, and subsequent trauma the girls were subjected to, now dealing with the aftermath in adulthood. I loved the contrast of the sisters, despite the odds they had each other, I liked each of their personalities and the journey they took to heal in the end.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions and I enjoyed it quite a bit despite the disturbing undertones. Darling Girls highlights the exploitation of the foster care system with strong female characters and twisty reveals.

I really liked it & I loved the narrator, I was intrigued right from the beginning and was continually guessing at the outcome. I enjoyed the twists and turns and I liked each of the characters and their stories. I just really dislike in Hepworth’s stories how the ending feels like it’s a recap of things that happened rather than the story coming together. It felt super rushed in the last 10-15% of the book.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Thriller, mystery. Multiple timelines and POV’s.
Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were always told how lucky they were to be rescued and placed with Miss Fairchild on her family farm. But their childhood wasn’t the fairytale the social workers think. There were strict rules on daily cleaning requirements, specific foods and portion sizes allowed, and punishments based on fears. Then there was the drinking and unpredictable behavior and the babies. Those were their formative years and even though they’ve left the farm, they are still haunted by the past. When a body is found under the home, the foster sisters must return to the area to answer to the police.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The audiobook is performed by Jessica Clarke who does an amazing job with the story. She has created distinct voices for the three sisters and Miss Fairchild. For me, the best indication were chapter headings and of course, the content as the women each has their own personality and story. I loved the accent of the narrator (Australian, actor) which gave me a completely different location experience from my ebook reading which would be mid-west US. I did listen at 1.5 which is my preferred speed for conversational comfort.

Chilling, intense, and surprising. A compelling read regardless of format. Each of the women has dealt with their perceived trauma in different ways which has molded the lives they are currently living. And it’s all about to change.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

This story was completely enthralling from start to end. I could not put it down and finished it in one day.
This is "Mommy Dearest" on steroids with a look at dark spots in the foster system. Then the twist at the very end was so surprising even if heartbreaking.

Jessica, Norah and Alicia are truely sisters in every way except biologicaly. They are bonded by their tramatic upbringing under Ms. Fairchild. Now 25 years after they left her care they are each dealing with issues in the present and their past. But when a body is found on the grounds of their former foster house they all return to assist the investigation of find who was killed.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an advanced audiobook for review.

Rating: 3.5⭐️
Pub Date: April 23, 2024
How I Read It: 🎧

Synopsis
Jessica, Nora, and Alicia are foster sisters who lived at the mysterious Wild Meadows farmhouse, 25 years ago. All three girls receive a call from a detective, telling them they have found human remains at Wild Meadows, so the girls return to the home that has left them with horrible childhood memories, to find out who the detectives have discovered.

My Thoughts
I didn’t see that ending coming! It did have some twists in there, but in the beginning, it sometimes fell a little flat for me. With multiple point of views, there was a lot to keep up with. I did like the sister dynamic, but it was hard to read some of the book since it dealt with child abuse. This wasn’t my favorite SH book, but it was still good!

Final Thoughts
🎧 I listened to the audio of this book and the narrator was pretty good. I was a little confused listening to the audio, since they were multiple point of views and multiple timelines, as well as a mystery therapy session, which really confused me. With all that said, if you can’t fully concentrate on the audio, you may want to read the physical book.

❗️Of Note
📝 Child abuse
📝 Foster care

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Omg!! Thank you so much for the advance copy of this book. I love all of the author’s previous books and was so excited for this new one. I loved the book so much I finished it in one day. I couldn’t put it down. The story was so intriguing that you wanted to figure out who did what and why. Just when you think you figured everything out, another surprise would pop up. The story touched on so many emotions, from sisterly love and protection, mental health issues, foster care, addiction and the list continues. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend for everyone to read this book when it becomes available!

Sally Hepworth's newest book, "Darling Girls," dives deep into the tangled web of family secrets, resilience, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma. Right from the get-go, readers are pulled into the lives of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—three foster sisters whose seemingly picture-perfect upbringing hides a darker reality.

Hepworth spins a tale that seamlessly blends past and present, uncovering the mysteries surrounding Miss Fairchild, their foster mother, and the events that fractured their family. As the sisters grapple with the shocking discovery of a body beneath their childhood home, they're thrust into a whirlwind of suspicion and intrigue. What sets "Darling Girls" apart is Hepworth's compassionate portrayal of the foster care system and its lasting impact on those who navigate its complexities. Through Jessica, Norah, and Alicia's journeys, Hepworth shines a light on the resilience found in the face of adversity and the unbreakable bonds formed through shared trauma.

The book keeps you on your toes with its unpredictable twists and turns, ensuring you'll be hooked until the very end. Hepworth's attention to detail and vivid character development breathe life into the story, immersing readers in a world filled with tension and uncertainty.At its heart, "Darling Girls" is a story about hope, resilience, and the enduring power of sisterhood. With its compelling narrative and unforgettable characters, this is a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

For fans of gripping thrillers with a heartfelt touch, "Darling Girls" is a must-read. Hepworth's engaging writing style and captivating storytelling make this a book you won't want to put down. Make sure to mark your calendars for April 23rd—this is one release you won't want to miss!!!

Such a unique story without being far fetched! Magnificent narration—definitely recommend listening to the audiobook.

Set in Australia, Darling Girls is a story of three very different sisters bonded for life thanks to Miss Fairchild, their foster mother. But not in the way you would want. Miss Fairchild has rules and her mood changes on a whim. Miss Fairchild can be dangerous, even with her darling girls…

The story unfolds from the past and present POV of each sister—Jessica, the first to be sent to Miss Fairchild, is organized and always moving; Norah with an h is whip smart, beautiful and witty; and Alicia, arguably the most caring and loving of the thee now works in the very foster system that she and her sisters came from.

Let me start by saying that I loved how different each sister was yet how they were still so close and complemented each other. I also appreciated the reality and relatability of each of their situations. And oh my goodness that ending had my jaw dropping to the floor!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan publishing for sending an advanced copy for me to listen to!

Three former foster sisters have to confront their past—and their foster mother—when a new horror is discovered at the house where they grew up. This book was fast paced and enthralling. The audio narration was great and kept the story moving quickly. I truly had chills while reading this book!

I found myself invested from the beginning. This was definitely a slow burn suspense, but there were enough twists and surprises to keep me interested.

I loved hearing each girl’s perspective and I thought the story did a great job flowing from the past to the present. It gave you a chance to really understand each character.

This might be one of my favorite Sally Hepworth books!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook and for the eARC.

This book takes place from three POV by girls that created a bond as foster children under the horrid ms Fairchild. As adults there past gets brought back up after a body is found under their foster house.

Please be where that they’re could be trigger warmings that might be hard for some readers

Just when I thought I was starting to figure it out, there was more. Fully engrossed until the very end. The ENDING 😱


Thank you to the author and publisher for the this pre-released audiobook from NetGalley. I was absolutely captivated.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this book!

When an unidentified body is discovered under the house three foster sisters grew up in, they become key witnesses... or maybe suspects.

When I heard our domestic-suspense-writing Sally went dark, I was SO EXCITED. This follows the story of three sister, and we do get all three POVs, from the past and their traumatic upbringing with their foster mother, to the present, when a body is found under their childhood home. The sister dynamic was good and complex, and there was quite the twist at the end! Recommend this if you normally like Sally's books or if you enjoy a good domestic thriller.

Jessica Clarke's narration was fantastic, but I think with the multiple POVs, this could've been a great full-cast audio!