This was a difficult one for me to rate. Like all Sally Hepworth books it's well written, the characters are well developed, and the plot moves quickly. I liked the back and forth between past and present chapters and the intrigue of trying to figure out who the bones are as well as who the psychologist was interviewing. That being said, the topic of child abuse was very hard to read/listen to. I normally read all sorts of horrific things from murder to rape, but for some reason child abuse just hit me differently. And the twist at the end really left me disappointed. I know that not all evil people get their comeuppance, but I don't want that in my books, especially in a throwaway chapter at the end. It didn't have me shocked and was just a bad vibe to end the book on. I might recommend it to others but with a heavy HEAVY warning on child abuse being a major plot line.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia supposedly had a childhood straight out of a fairytale. Raised on a farming estate in the country with their foster mother Miss Fairchild, the three girls did what they could to survive. Now each woman is dealing with their own set of issues as adults—one has a prescription drug problem, one serious anger management problems, and one relationship issues. When a body is found under their foster mother’s home, the three women head back to place they never wanted to see again to help with the police investigation. Stepping back into their past triggers all kinds of feelings for the women, but most importantly they need to know exactly whose bones are under the house.

Alternating timelines between the present-day murder case, and the girls’ early days with Miss Fairchild, we learn how Jessica, Norah, and Alicia’s personalities were shaped by their traumatic childhoods. The bond between the three women is unbreakable, and the circumstances that created it is devastating. Watching the three adult women continue to fight for agency over their own lives is heartbreaking to say the least. Though very different, the three foster girls are all interesting, and as it usually goes Miss Fairchild, our resident villain, is the most interesting of all.

Sally Hepworth does an excellent job with pacing with this psychological thriller. There are several plots twists that will certainly keep the reader guessing. One I figured out half way and never saw coming, and another towards the end that provides a perfect ah-ha moment. If psychological thrillers are your jam, definitely pick this one up next month when it is released!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author Sally Hepworth for the advanced copy of the audiobook. Darling Girls is out in audio format on April 23rd. All opinions are my own.

I'm not typically a fan of back and forth timelines, but this one worked for me. Alicia, Norah, and Jessica formed a trauma bond that kept them together for life, even though they are very different people. They all overcame the trauma to live a life that finally made them happy. Growing up in the same foster home, the girls only had each other. When all those years later, bones were discovered under their old foster home, all of their suspicions rested with their foster mother, Holly Fairchild. So many twists and turns and that last chapter...shew! What a ride.

The audio version enhanced this story by having a narrator that spoke with an Australian accent. Really made me feel like I was back in Australia and reminded me of how they say some words differently and reminded of others they have that we don't. The narrator helped me to feel like I was right there watching it all unfold in front of me. The characters were memorable and relatable. The mystery plot gave you just enough each chapter to want to not stop listening. It was easy to know which chapter I was on or left off with and not having to look at the app.

Three women who grew up together in foster care find themselves under suspicion when a body is discovered underneath their old house and the truth comes out about their foster mother Miss Fairchild who wasn’t quite the idyllic parent everyone thought she was. It kept me entertained and had a good twist at the end, but pretty run of the mill as far as mystery/thrillers go.

3.5 stars

I enjoyed this on audio and was very interested in where it was going. The change in POVs and the therapy session were so interesting. However, part way through I knew where the ending was going (even though it did go a bit off the rails).

Overall, a very enjoyable read. I've been loving reading all of Hepworth's books!

Huge thank sot NetGalley, St Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for advance copies in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this one is GOOD. It is perfectly twisty and full of heart. I sped up listening to the audiobook because I was so invested. The narrator brings the story to life and the ending is incredible.

Darling Girls is a wonderful example of what I want when I turn to Sally Hepworth. I got a great well paced plot, interesting female characters with whom I could relate, good writing and, this time, I had the entire thing read to me in a lovely Australian accent. I enjoyed the story with its various twists and turns and appreciated the dogs as well as the well developed characters. I loved the four narratives that moved the plot along without repetition and found the ending quite satisfying. I'll definitely turn to audio again in order to get a sneak peek at the newest Hepworth. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher. Jessica Clark is a narrator new to me and I highly recommend her. I hope she reads the next one too.

If you were ever a fan of Christina Crawford's Mommie Dearest, of VC Andrews's Flowers in the Attic, and/or of Gregg Olsen's If You Tell, you will definitely want to read (or listen to) Sally Hepworth's latest gripping thriller - Darling Girls! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the ARC audiobook. Hepworth has woven a dark psychological mystery/thriller centering on the lives of three “sisters” (Jessica, Norah, and Alicia) who were fostered by the same “mother” (Miss Fairchild), together during their youth. While they continued to keep tabs on each other as adults, they are brought back together to help police when a body is found under their childhood home.

Being a big fan of Hepworth's previous novels, I am happy to say this one did not disappoint, especially with Jessica Clarke as the narrator, as she seamlessly transitioned not only between past and present, but between four points of view. And while small portions of the novel were a tad predictable, I must admit I was not prepared for the ending! I just hope we (here in the US) do not have to wait a whole year to get our hands on her next novel!

★★★★★
Sally Hepworth writes some of my favorite books, and it only took reading one of them for her to become one of my auto-read authors. Her ability to create distinctive characters while blending humor into sensitive subject matter is remarkable.

I was thrilled to get my hands on advanced copies of both the audiobook and eBook versions of "Darling Girls." I find it more relaxing and easier to retain information when I follow the digital copy while listening to the audiobook.

This novel has a few surprising plot twists, but the ending makes it phenomenal. I thought my jaw might hit the floor when I read the final page! The story follows three young girls-Jessica, Norah, and Alicia-who form a close bond while under the care of a manipulative foster mother. Despite or because of their difficult childhood, that bond carries through to adulthood. We hear from each girl between dual timelines and unique therapy sessions with an unknown woman.

Sally Hepworth is a cunningly gifted thriller writer!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio/St. Martin’s Press for providing copies of this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

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This was my first Sally Hepworth book, and I really enjoyed it. I found myself changing my dinner plans because the last 90 minutes or so (audiobook) I couldn't stop listening so I skipped the grocery store! More of a psychological thriller or mystery with great characters. It took me quite a while to piece it together, and I still didn't figure it all out before the end. I've read some reviews where people have actually lowered their rating because they don't like the idea that "all" the foster care providers in the book are depicted in a negative light, or they didn't like just how evil a particular character was. I am not sure what people are expecting when they see genre tags of "thriller" and "psychological mystery," but I fully expect it to be dark. So if the subject matter would be upsetting, sit this one out. Otherwise--dive in and enjoy the pieces coming together. This was my first time with an ARC of an audiobook, and I'm particular about my narrators, so I was nervous. But I am happy to say that I did enjoy this one. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Matin's Press for the ARC and the opportunity to share my review.

Oh my goodness!! I completely didn’t figure this out until they told me what happened… AND THEN… my mouth was on the ground for the ending! What a great read! This book had me from the first chapter and I finished it in one day. It also made me cry, which is rare for me!! It’s heartbreaking to read what some children go through.

I'll be happy to provide a detailed review once St-Martins Press addresses the boycott and fixes the issue.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced audio arc! As always Sally Hepworth doesn't disappoint! This was a crazy ride through a horrible foster care situation. And while I can't say that it ends tied up with a pretty bow, it definitely ends appropriately.

This book was absolutely amazing. The way that the flashbacks unfolded the story so perfectly. The POV from Ms Fairchild, and the current day timeline. It was all absolutely perfect. One of the best thrillers Ive read in a long time becase that ending had my JAW ON THE FLOOR. Cannot recommend this book enough.

Sally Hepworth’s books are always an auto read for me, and Darling Girls did not disappoint! I loved the sisterhood, and flashbacks between current day and the past. This book had so many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrator put on a great performance and kept me guessing until the very end!

DNF'd at 28 % due to child abuse. I usually love Sally Hepworth's books. The narrator did a great job but the books content wasn't good me.

THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!

Three foster sisters who grew up together are brought back to the foster home that they grew up in after a body is discovered in the basement. Now, they have to revisit all the traumas that they have from growing up in an abusive foster home.

This is so well written and the plot goes from past, present and therapy sessions. BUT WHO IS THE PERSON IN THE THERAPY SESSION?

As a thriller, I felt that this worked very well!

I received a digital copy from NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own

Darling Girls

This is another solid thriller/suspense by Sally Hepworth. It follows 3 girls in foster care and has multiple timelines. This story is so raw and really heartbreaking with what these girls had to deal with in the foster system. I finished this audio in a matter of 2 days because I was hooked and had to find out who the bones belongs to and the story behind it. While I thought I had everything figured out even before some of the reveals, I was thrown for loop after loop in the episode.

The audiobook is narrated by Jessica Clarke and she did an amazing job with the different POV. If you are looking for a twisty read that will have you feeling for the girls in foster care both during and after, this is a book/audiobook you will devour. While this book was a piece of fiction, it really shows a side of the fostering system that is not talked about.

****Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, Sally Hepworth, and NetGalley for my gifted ALC in turn for my honest review.


I will be posting my review on Instagram (Thriller_book_sisters) closer to publication date.

I'm not sure how many times I decided I had figured this book out, only to realize I was way off base. Right up until the very final page. Don't rest easy in reading this one! Enjoyed, but then I always enjoy Sally Hepworth's books. Inside her mind must be an interesting place!