A young woman with sensory issues decides to give her sister the ultimate gift to show her gratitude for her support. As the woman delves into the tricky world of emotions, she begins to learn that her sister may have kept secrets that affect them both. Sally Hepworth builds an intriguing storyline let down by a major plot twist in her latest book The Good Sister.

Fern Castle knows two things for a fact: she doesn’t like loud noises or crowds, and she would never have gotten along in life without her twin, Rose, to help her. When the girls were 12, their single mother suffered a terrible accident that sent the twins to foster care. Now that they’re adults, they’re closer than ever. Fern knows she can count on Rose for anything, like helping her when she gets overwhelmed.

The feeling can sneak up on her if she’s not careful, because Fern deals with a sensory disability. Rose, however, knows exactly what to do to help her. For that Fern is always grateful, even if Rose can be a little bossy at times.

One place that Fern knows what to do is at the library where she works. She’s good at her job and is always happy to help patrons, even if she has trouble looking them in the eye. Her mentor trained her well and gave Fern the confidence she needed to become a librarian. Even though her mentor is gone, Fern isn’t going to let her down.

She won’t let Rose down either, even if Rose doesn’t know about her plan. After a conversation with her sister, Fern discovers that Rose and her husband are having trouble getting pregnant. Fern questions whether she would ever make a good mother herself. She has no doubt that Rose would; after all, Rose was always protecting her from their mother, from the verbal and physical abuse that Rose remembers so vividly. That convinces Fern that Rose would be an excellent mother. If Rose can’t have a baby, Fern will just have one for her.

Even with the best of intentions, Fern knows Rose may not approve of the plan so she doesn’t tell her right away. She has sensory issues, after all, not mental ones. Besides, she’ll have to find a father willing to go through with the plan too. As Fern begins to stretch herself by getting to know people outside of her carefully curated circle, she discovers that life may not always be as straightforward as she thinks. That includes the memories she and Rose share.

Author Sally Hepworth returns with her trademark depth of character and her engaging storyline. Readers will find themselves concerned for Rose and chuckling along with Fern’s practical, no-nonsense approach to life. Hepworth also highlights how a person dealing with sensory issues faces each and every day. Readers will applaud her focus on this little-covered medical challenge. The research and careful detailing speak for themselves.

The novel fails with the major plot twist about the girls’ mother that comes about two-thirds of the way through the book. Hepworth asks readers to change emotional gears in such a way that it actually stalls the story instead of propelling it forward. The painstaking layering of plot and character Hepworth undertakes to this point come undone. Readers will have a hard time making the switch and accepting the inevitable story that follows.

Other plot devices stand out for their excellence, and Fern will definitely win hearts for her tenacity. Devout fans of Hepworth’s books may want to check this one out. Otherwise, I recommend that The Good Sister Borders on Bypassing it.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth was a thrilling and captivating read! Full of twists and turns, we follow twins Fern and Rose and we learn things about their past, present and future. Who is telling the truth and what secrets is everyone hiding? As we learn about them and their mother, we realize not all is what it seems. I devoured this book and could not wait to see how it would all end.

Happy reading!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
I have loved Sally’s books for YEARS. But I really love the thriller type books she’s been writing lately. They are just so good!!!!!

So I was really excited to get an ARC of this book!

What I Liked:



The cover. It’s a little dark if you really look closely at in my opinion!



Rose and Fern. I was intrigued by both the characters. Books about sisters- especially twins- are usually some of my fave (especially if there is a mystery/thriller aspect)



The ending. Oh Sally- loved it, loved it, loved it!



Bottom line: For me this did not disappoint. Kept me flipping pages as I got further into the lives of these sisters.

The Good Sister, follows the lives of two sisters, Rose and Fern. Rose, who is having issues with her marriage and Fern, who, despite having sensory issues, works in a library and is learning about love. After meeting Wally, who she initially thought was homeless, develops a relationship and falls in love. When Fern finds prenatal vitamins in her sisters bag and confronts her, Rose tells Fern she is unable to have a child. Fern decides to become pregnant and give the baby to Rose. Rose, has always been protective of Fern ever since they were little, has always kept Fern's secret's., and believes that Fern is making the right decision by having her adopt the baby. However, after their mother tells Fern not to give the baby to Rose and Wally stating there is something wrong with Rose, Fern decides not to give up her baby. This decision leads to unexpected consequences that will change their lives forever.

3.5 stars

Who is the good sister?
In The Good Sister, we follow twins-Rose and Fern. The book is told from dual perspectives of both Fern and Rose (Rose's persepctive comes primarily through her diary entires.)

Fern experiences sensory processing difficulties and is sometimes oblivious to people’s motives, while
Rose has always seen it as her duty to protect Fern. Snippets of the girls' childhood with their erratic mother are interspersed with current day as adults. Rose struggles to conceive, so Fern decides (w/o Rose’s knowledge) to help her sister out by becoming pregnant and then giving the baby to her sister. Fern meets “Wally” aka Rocco, whom she discovers she has much in common with, which leads Fern to spend less time with her sister.

I would say this book is not a thriller, but a family drama with a mystery twist. My favorite part is the relationship between Wally and Fern. I would love to see a book about them-their humor and quirkiness is so sweet. As a whole, the story is pretty predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Warning for child abuse/sexual abuse

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sally does it again. I absolutely loved The Mother-In-Law so I was eager to read this 2021 release… and again, I was not disappointed. I was on the edge of my seat from the moment the book began. I was unable to put it down and definitely a book I could read in one day.

The story is told in alternate chapters by Fern and Rose, with much reflecting on their childhoods, their relationship with each other and their mercurial mother in the middle of it all. It deals with complex sister relationships, friendships, romance, dysfunction, and moral dilemmas. This one also got a bit twisty and dark at times. This fast paced, suspense filled book is one you will want to get your hands on.

I was actually shocked I was able to figure this one out though! I never predict the endings. While predictable, the ending is nonetheless satisfying.

Synopsis: Fern and Rose are as close as twin sisters can be: Rose is the responsible one and Fern is the quirky one. Fern needed protecting because their mother was a true sociopath who hid her true nature from the world, and only Rose could see it. What Rose doesn't realize is that Fern is growing more and more aware of the secrets Rose, herself, is keeping. And that their mother might have the last word after all.

Thank you @stmartinspress for providing me a #gifted copy of this novel and an ARC on @netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #thegoodsister #netgalley #sallyhepworth

A master manipulator thriller.

Hepworth did it again. The title says it all for me. If you have a good sister, there must be an evil sister. The narration is brilliant- and it keeps you on your toes. One sister is keeping a diary and the other has her sensory issues. The sisters are co-dependent on each other and they support each tremendously but and I am not going to say any more.

What I will say is that I was hooked with sister Fern. Having sensory problems, she worked a low key job at the library. Her sister Rose felt responsible for her sister Fern and kept the secret of the terrible accident that left their step brother dead. Fern feels a responsibility towards her twin sister Rose as well and wants to gift her with the one thing that she is unable to have. They have a sister thing. Until the one of the sisters wises up. Good from beginning to end with unforgettable characters.

A special thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth has been getting a ton of buzz lately and FOR GOOD REASON! I'm not sure what I was thinking, but because of the cover, I was pretty sure this book would be a murder mystery. It had an eerie feel to it, so I was surprised when I actually got started! This book alternates between two sisters, Rose and Fern. Fern has a sensory disorder and I loved her character. Rose, her sister, is a wife and suffering from infertility and a marriage in trouble. I totally empathized with her too. I loved the flashbacks to their childhood, as it really helped me get to know both women. I also loved Wally (okay, Rocco) and really just thought all of the characters were different and fantastic. I was kept in suspense and finished the entire book in one sitting because the writing was good, the story was great, and the ending was crazy! This book absolutely deserves the fantastic praise it's getting....I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN!

5 out of 5 stars for The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth. A huge thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are wholly my own.

From the outside, everyone might think that Fran and Rose are as close as twin sisters might be: Rose is the responsible one, and Fern is the quirky one. The sisters are devoted to one another and Rose has always been Fern's protector from the time they were small. Fern needed protecting from their mother as she was a true sociopath. Years ago, Fern did something bad and Rose has never told a soul. Fern decides to help Rose achieve her heart's desire of having a baby.

This is a character driven story. Rose has had to take care of her little sister from an early age. Now adults, Rose is desperate to have a baby with her husband Owen. Told in alternating chapters by the sisters, Rose's perspective is told in the form of a diary while Fern's perspective is told in the first person. Fern decides she can now repay the help she got from Rose by giving her the baby she desperately wants. I got caught up in this story from the first few pages and it held my attention throughout. Some parts were predictable. Part family drama, part suspense, this book will keep you turning the pages.

I would like to than k #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress and the author #SallyHepworth for my ARC of #TheGoodSister in exchange for an honest review.

I have never read a Sally Hepworth book I didn’t love and this story was no exception. I loved it from the very beginning. I 100% can NOT read a scary story but sometimes want a little more than a happy story can give me. Sally Hepworth meets that bill every time. Just enough suspense and wonder of who is telling the truth draws me in every time.

I really enjoyed this book. The story line was very easy to follow and I connected with the characters very easily.

Rose and Fern are twins that could not be any more different but have shared a troubled past full of secrets. Now, as adults, Fern (who has Autism Spectrum Disorder) finds her sister Rose as the only one she can trust and the only one who can understand her. But something still isn't right between the sisters and it might stem back to the "incident" that occurred during their childhood.
I enjoyed reading The Good Sister so much that I shirked things I was supposed to be doing and read instead. Fern is a wonderful character that brought to life the inner thoughts of a person with ASD. I loved following her interactions with other characters and especially the work she did in the public library. The suspense was just enough to keep me biting my nails near the end.

Twins Rose and Fern have always looked out for each other. Rose time and time again protects Fern during their childhood from their mother and in adulthood helps Fern with whatever she needs. Fern in return offers to surrogate a baby for Rose when she discovers Rose is unable to carry her own child. But as their childhood is uncovered, there’s more to it than meets the eye, and they’ve been holding on to a secret for years. “The Good Sister” by Sally Hepworth is thrilling to the very end.

I loved loved loved Fern’s perspective as the main voice. Fern is colorful and trusting and literal. Noises and lights can be too much for her, which adds dimension to the world we live in on a new level. To see her relationship with Wally was so sweet. You can’t help but cheer for her! By contrast Rose’s journal entries are riddled with pain and anger. The twins clash in personality and it’s clear someone’s perception isn’t clear.

This book is killing me not to share spoilers, but I’m doing my best. I devoured this book in literally a day. It was a great psychological thriller and although it was more of a slow burn there was clearly something more going on that needed pieced together. All in all, I couldn’t help but give this book 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. “The Good Sister” is available for purchase today! Be sure to check it out and add it to your TBR!

Yessss. Just a well done thriller, I breezed through this one and loved it. Hepworth knows how to tell a story & her characters are always so well-developed and intriguing. I know I won’t forget Fern for a long time!

WOW!! Just - WOW!! I've loved previous books by Sally Hepworth but I think this is my favorite. Of course I say that every time I read a new book by Hepworth.

The characters are so well developed and interesting! I loved Fern - and Wally. Fern's honesty and sweetness brought humor throughout when she took things literally. There seemed to be something 'off' from the beginning about the relationship between Rose and Fern but at first it seemed like they were just extra-close because of an inattentive and cruel Mother. Surely Rose is just trying to protect Fern. Isn't she?

I started to realize what was really going on and wanted to shout to Fern to get away from Rose!! Rose thought of herself (and portrayed herself this way in her diary) as the 'good' sister always trying to protect Fern. I absolutely don't want to give any spoilers so will say no more except - - READ THIS BOOK!!!

The Good Sister is another great Sally Hepworth mystery/thriller. The fraternal twin sisters Rose and Fern have an undeniably strong connection. Fern is an extremely likeable character whose way of dealing with her weaknesses can be quite refreshing, adding another element to the story line. Her sister Rose, is the strong sister who sees herself as the person who needs to care for Fern and keep her safe. As we see their story unfold, through Rose's diary entries and Fern's daily activities, the fractures in their relationship begin to show. But we have to wonder, what is really happening between these sisters, who have a secret that imprisons Fern in the fear of what she may be capable of doing. Adding to the story is Rocco "Wally" Ryan, whose character is a perfect match for Fern and their interactions are both amusing and touching. The author cleverly writes the characters' stories and draws the reader along on their journey to a surprising and yet satisfying ending. I will definitely recommend this book to friends! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. #NetGalley #TheGoodSister

3.5 stars rounded up. Sally Hepworth is so good at writing domestic thrillers with truly endearing characters and backstories - just like The Mother-in-Law this book is twisty and so easy to devour.

Fern and Rose are fraternal twins who have always stuck together and had each other's back - despite a rocky childhood, moving around a lot and entering the foster care system when they were young. Fern has sensory issues and is likely on the spectrum, as she has trouble understanding people, social cues, and interactions that many would see as "normal." Rose has always helped her through these issues when she was a kid, providing comfort and coping mechanisms for her, so over time, Fern has become reliant on Rose to be her "person."

At the start of the book, Rose desperately wants a child. Her husband has just left her for a temporary position in London and a break on their relationship, and Rose learns that she has fertility issues that may prevent her from becoming pregnant. Because Rose has always helped Fern through her problems, Fern now sees this as an opportunity to pay Rose back - maybe she could become pregnant and give her child to Rose to raise. Fern knows she wouldn't be able to raise a baby on her own - not just because of her ASD, but also because of a terrible incident that happened when she and Rose were kids.

The book rotates between Fern's perspective and Rose's journal - Rose's journal also flashes back often to when they were kids, dealing with their mother, and other bad things that happened. You learn about aforementioned terrible incident and it's up to you to draw your own conclusions as to what really happened.

Fern is one of the most endearing characters I've read in a long time. Soon after hatching her plan to get pregnant for Rose, she meets an interesting man named Rocco - whom she calls Wally because he looks kind of like the eponymous "Where's Wally" character. Their romance and interactions are utterly sweet. For a large part of the book, I genuinely thought it had the makings of a romcom. Fern is lovable despite or perhaps because of her idiosyncrasies, and Hepworth does an amazing job of writing someone with ASD and explaining how the world looks to them.

As for the thriller aspect of this, I found it a little predictable as you near the end of the book, but some of the twists surely were surprising. I have to say that I enjoyed the lighthearted romance sections a bit more than the twisty thriller elements. Overall, this is a fantastic beachy read that you can devour in a day or so. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley!

Oh my word! I loved this book. Fern is one of my favorite characters of all time. It is so refreshing to see a thriller with a couple of "neuro-diverse characters as main characters. The two leads who were neuro-diverse were very easy to root for. In fact, maybe the best part of this novel was how Sally Hepworth took so many stereotypical characters and turned the reader's preconceived notions on their head. I started out the novel feeling it was going one direction and ended the novel totally pleased by how off I was. (After reading as many thrillers as I have done, it is very difficult to be surprised by books.)

So, though this is only the second book I have read by Sally Hepworth, it is my second one I have rated 5 stars! Her writing amazed me in The Mother-In-Law and again in this one, The Good Sister. In both novels, she made me feel the tingles and stress of a good thriller, but also ALL the emotions of a great family drama. I left both books just feeling so good about the books and wanting to beg all my friends to read them.

I am not going to write a synopsis as the publisher does a fine job with that and any more I add to it might take away from another reader's enjoyment and surprise. One final thing I will say is about the author herself: As a reader, I am always curious as to whether I would like an author as much as I like his/her novels. In Ms. Hepworth's case, after following her on Instagram for a couple years, I can safely say, as far as you can know someone's personality on IG, hers rocks. She is hilarious, and humble. Her humor I've seen there shines through in her writing, alleviating some of the more tense moments. So if you are into Bookstagram, or just like quirky, fun personalities to make you smile, she's a fun one to follow.

I can't wait to read Sally Hepworth's older novels since I have only read two! Its always fun to find a new favorite author! Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley, and Sally Hepworth for this amazing book!

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth was just so fun to read! ...and makes me glad I don’t have a sister. 😂

This book follows twin sisters, Rose and Fern. Fern is a librarian with sensory issues and isn’t great with social situations. Rose is the sister who ‘has it all together’- a great job, perfect husband.. BUT she is unable to have a child. Fern will do anything for Rose so she decides to have a baby and give it to her sister.

So this isn’t your typical sweet sister story like it sounds... the story is manipulative and a bit cruel! The family dynamic is crazy and you don’t know what is really happening until the end! I know this seems a bit vague but I just don’t know how to describe it and I certainly don’t want to give it all away!

The chapter alternate between the point of view of Fern and then from Rose’s diary. I really enjoyed this style and reading their perspectives this way. I have only read the Mother in Law by Hepworth and I think I liked this one even more!

Also, I really loved Wally. That’s all! ☺️

This novel is out Tuesday, April 13! Pick it up!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! AND if you are not following @sallyhepworth on Instagram are you even living?! She’s so funny and has a great dynamic with her family. I just love her! She’s a gem & a jewel.

Thank you to the author & St. Martin’s Press for gifting me an ebook of The Good Sister courtesy of NetGalley.
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The Good Sister is part suspense, part thriller and part romance and an absolutely enthralling page-turner! The two main characters are fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, who only have themselves to support each other, growing up with no father and an abusive mother. Fern appears to be on the autistic spectrum - I say ‘appear’ because the book never pegs her as being on the autistic spectrum but mentions Fern as having sensory processing issues many times. Rose has supported Fern throughout her lifetime, including protecting her from something terribly wrong. So when Fern finds out Rose is unable to get pregnant, it’s Fern’s turn to help. Fern meets Wally with the intention of getting pregnant but of course, life doesn’t always work the way we planned.

Y’all, this book is absolutely a delight to read! How apt this book came out on the month of autistic awareness! I truly loved the way Fern’s autistic characteristics were represented with grace and tact. You cannot but help love her quirkiness and I just felt like hugging her all the time even though she wouldn’t love hugs!! Fern is also a librarian and loves reading which is always a plus in my books!! The story progresses with a lot of plot twists and completes with quite a nail biting ending. You may or may not want to throw this book against the wall when it’s all over but you will definitely still be thinking of Fern! 😉 An absolute 5 star of a book!