Sometimes a book comes at the wrong time in a person's life. That definitely influenced my feelings of this book. This is a story of two fraternal twin sisters. This book is told by both of their points of view. Rose tells her story through her diary while we see Fern's point of view through the story. Rose's desire for a baby will impact how the sisters see and interact with each other. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is a well written story about a dysfunctional relationship. I realized pretty quickly who the good sister is. It was their relationship that was a turn off for me.

This is the third novel of Hepworth's that I've read - and definitely my favorite of hers so far! Of course, I am a total sucker for any story involving twins and this one is hard to put down from the very start! Told from each fraternal twin sister's perspective, Rose's chapters take the form of her diary and are focused more on the past. Meanwhile, Fern, a librarian with some sensory processing issues, has chapters more focused on the present. With fast-pacing and a genuinely engaging storyline, this is a real page-turner! The Australian setting - and Fern's love of books and the library - really adds to the fun of this one. It's an engaging read! While the plot isn't entirely unpredictable, there's a definite tension that keeps the pages turning. I really thought that the characters all come to life and there are some surprises to the plot as well. I really enjoyed this one and I am curious to see what Hepworth will write next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It seems fitting that on National Siblings Day 2021, I have the opportunity to review The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth. Also, I am a twin and have a sibling that while sharing my birth-day, is quite different from me. Fern and Rose are fraternal twin sisters with a troubled Mother who are slogging through life with little money and rivalries galore. An early childhood trauma sets up a strange co-dependent life for the two twin sisters. At the start of the story, I thought it was a wee bit slow, but I see now the setup was in place to get us to the end. One sister is dominant (often the case in twins), while the other has some spectrum issues yet is a functioning girl. When the story takes a turn, it becomes addictive to see how the author will resolve all the “issues.” Oh, holy hell, I was hooked and stayed up well past my bedtime to finish this book at 4 am. This is a GOOD story and a lot of thrills and chills. You never know what is going on with families, do you? READ THIS BOOK. I predict this one is going to be a big winner with the reading public. Five stars for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC; my review and opinions are my own and without bias. The book will be released this coming Tuesday, April 13th, and I highly recommend it. @netgalley #theGoodSister @sallyhepworth #twins #siblings #rivalries #dsyfunctionalfamily #spectrum #singlemothers #netgalley #thriller #iLoveMyTwin

Wow! This was my first book by sally. I had no idea that she created such beautiful stories. The detail she puts into her characters is impeccable. What a great story about manipulation. I truly didn’t expect the story to go the direction it did but I loved it.

The age old story of the good twin and the bad twin is confronted in this story as the reader is trying to figure out who is the good twin and who is the bad twin! Rose and Fern are twins born on the same day, but that is where their sameness ends. They are physical opposites and while grew up in the same dysfunctional home, had vastly different reactions to their upbringing.

For me, the big thing that set this book apart from others was reading about a woman who is probably on the spectrum. We often hear about men on the spectrum, so it was interesting to see how this same disease manifests in a woman and how that affects a different gender from what we typically think of. I have personal experience and often in books there are males who are on the spectrum, so to see a woman living life on the spectrum was so interesting and eye-opening.

I love the twists and turns of the story, but even more so, I loved how the author conveyed the story. With one twin recounting the current storyline while the other twin was writing journal entries, it made the book unique and of course without spoiling, it honestly really made the story work in general.

I have read half of Sally Hepworth's work and have loved each of them. I want to get caught up on her backlist in hopes that what I haven't read is just as good!

This is a new release form a successful Australian author. Her previous books include "The Mother-in-Law" and "The Family Next Door". This is another psychological thriller. It features grown twin sisters Rose and Fern. Rose is married, a diabetic and desperately wants a child. Fern is a librarian, is on the autism spectrum and experiences sensory issues. Set in present day we read about their childhood through chapters of Rose's journal. In it she details their childhood with a neglectful, vengeful mother and how she always protected Fern. When Fern meets a man and falls in love, the sister's relationship changes and long held secrets are revealed. This is a fabulous recommendation for fans of the genre.

The Good Sister is another very good read by Sally Hepworth. This author really knows how to choose interesting story lines and build the complex characters that bring them to life!

Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who are totally different from each other in both looks and personalities. The memories they have of their childhood and of their mother (dad left the family when the girls were four years old) are also diametrically opposed. The story is told via Fern's POV and through entries in Rose's journal.

Fern is on the autism spectrum. Her senses are often overloaded by her surroundings, and she takes what is said very literally. She doesn't understand people for the most part and tries to limit her interactions with others. She can't deal with loud noises, bright lights, being touched, crowded places, or aromas. The more notice she has about something, the better; surprises are not handled well. She has found her niche working in the library located close to her home. Fern believes that Rose is the only person who understands her.

Rose is married to Owen, and they have been trying to become pregnant without luck. Owen is now working in London and Rose fears her quest to become a mother has pushed him away. She has a succession of jobs, but looking after Fern (whom she's been protective of since childhood) takes a lot of her time.

Unbeknownst to Rose, Fern has decided to help Rose fulfill her desire to be a mother by becoming pregnant and giving the baby to Rose and Owen. Fern thingks it's the least she can do after all Rose has done for her!

Fern's decision forces her to begin to interact with others more. Her growing independence also challlenges her to look at Rose in new ways. Each sister has secrets and things are not what they seem. When all is said and done, who can we believe?

A well-told and satisfying story that engaged me early. A very good read!

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press who allowed me to read an ARC of this book scheduled to be published on April 13, 2021. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

UNPUTDOWNABLE! Get ready for a witty, heartwarming sweet romance AND manipulative thriller all in one package.... I devoured every page. Fans of “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” should grab this book immediately...it has a very similar feel.

Written in alternating voices between two twin sisters, readers delve into their relationship with each other and with the people who touch their lives. Over time, different perspectives are revealed and appreciated and the story is manipulated in a way where you never fully know what to believe. Sisters are complicated and this story demonstrates this relationship well. One minute loving and trusting, the next a complete reversal.

As a librarian, I particularly enjoyed the insider reality of life in the library from Fern’s very unique point of view. I also appreciated how Fern’s challenges were portrayed. Her sensory processing disorder and communication challenges were displayed with joy and sensitivity, very well done.

Run, don’t walk to begin this read! It is spectacular!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I stayed up late two nights just to finish this twisty, turny, fabulous novel.

While I had ideas about where the plot would go (and I was right), the journey there was a great ride. I’m not sure if Sally Hepworth has worked in a library, but I definitely saw myself and coworkers in her library employees.

If you enjoy suspense novels, pick this one up. I’m already recommending it to many of my readers!

Two sisters who share the same experiences and remember it differently. Fern and Rose are fraternal twins. The story is a psychological drama reflecting on their childhood and how it has impacted their present as adults. Nothing is as it seems to be. The characters are wonderfully created. Wally is endearing. The author discusses the differences experienced by Wally and Fern in a fun way at times that will make you smile. Rose is a master manipulator who definitely gets what’s coming to her.

Sally Hepworth has delivered another compelling mystery surrounding a complicated relationship. In this case, it is between twin sisters Rose and Fern, whose stories are told alternately. I read this in one day and really enjoyed the romantic storyline as well. If you're a fan of Hepworth or plot driven stories that keep you guessing, you will enjoy!

It is so exciting when a novel lives up to the hype. A few chapters into The Good Sister and it became obvious that the complimentary reviews are genuine and well deserved.

The main characters of this book are fraternal twins, but have little in common. Fern is hilarious, quirky, literal and lovable.

Rose's point of view is told through her diary entries which is a fun way to get to know her. Her memories of events are often quite different from Fern's and I enjoyed figuring out if the differences were due to interpretation or a larger source of conflict.

This novel is the definition of domestic suspense. I enjoyed it from cover to cover and couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This is a gem of a novel that will go into the rare category of books I will re-read. Unless of course a sequel comes out... Just throwing it out there @SallyHepworth!

A huge thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review.

This was my first Sally Hepworth novel and I enjoyed it a lot. Part suspense, part family drama. Unexpected twists, and unforgettable characters.

I though the author did a good job in handling family dynamics, and sibling relationships. Being Rose and Fern twin sisters. The story is so fascinating, to see this sister's bond and how it works, develops and changes thought the pages. you get easily invested in it and can't put it down. A very well-written and enjoyable thriller.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the free Advanced Copy in Exchange for an honest review.

Sally Hepworth is such a master story-teller! She will keep your attention until the very last page and misdirect it all the time. She will create characters you'll love and hate and ache for when they are mistreated, abused or simply misunderstood. She will make you question everything and everybody and then will show you that people care and there are these mysterious things called empathy, hope and love...

Twenty eight year old twin sisters Roseand Fern are as different as you can imagine them to be. Rose is the responsible one, the worrier...and well she has plenty of things to worry about: her failing (or is it already failed?) marriage, fertility problems, coupled with a burning desire for motherhood, and her sister Fern, who has never been officially diagnosed with high-functioning autism, but does require a lot of care and support. Fern with her penchant for colourful clothes and princess Leila hairbuns, Fern who needs to do quite a lot of thinking to arrive at a reasonable interpretation of social clues, Fern who suffers from sensory overload issues, and yet, is surprisingly good at doing her job of a librarian. Fern and Rose have been keeping a terrible secret for many years that has cemented their reliance on each other and their bond.

Once you get to know the story of Rose and Fern's childhood, how their mother raised them, why and what they had to protect each other from, perhaps you will understand the sisters better. Or perhaps not. The story is told from two points of- Rose (plus her diary written following her therapist's advice) and Fern, and sooner or later you will have to decide whose narrative you trust more and what it all means for the plot.

The characters are wonderful. If I tell you more, I really risk giving away the story. Why are we so fascinated by twins? Is it because we seek an answer to the old question of nature versus nurture in a hope to avoid becoming our parents? at any rate, Sally Hepworth does a fantastic job of creating well-developed protagonists and a whole cast of interesting supporting characters with a few strokes of her pen. Even if you don't like reading twisty thrillers, read this book for the way it raises awareness of sensory processing issues.

This is a psychological thriller, so be ready to ask yourself some questions about family dynamics, sibling love and the role we play in each other's lives. Or should I say the roles? they may go back a long way, but it doesn't mean they are set in stone.

Once again, Sally Hepworth surpassed my expectations with this riveting thriller, full of engaging characters and family drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Maritn's Press for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Wow! I wondered why this book was labeled as “mystery/thrillers” and then about half way through - I figured it out. The concept of “The Good Sister” changed throughout the book and led me to rethink who the author was defining as “good” as I was reading.

I loved Fern and Wally and the connection they developed. Fern reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine) or Rosie (The Rosie Project). She made me giggle with her literal interpretations and profound comments. “Wally” was such a kind soul that would do anything for her.

While there were parts of the book that were predictable, there were other parts that turned just enough to catch the reader off guard. Sally Hepworth had a wonderful way of engaging the reader throughout the book!

I was gifted this book through NETGALLEY and St. Martin’s Press and Sally Hepworth.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Sally Hepworth, the author of The Mother-In-Law delivers a knock-out of a novel about the lies that bind two sisters in The Good Sister.

There's only been one time that Rose couldn't stop me from doing the wrong thing and that was a mistake that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be...dangerous.

When Rose discovers that she cannot get pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple.

Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets from the past, in this quirky, rich and shocking story of what families keep hidden.

Thanks to Net Galley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC of this brilliant book in exchange for a review.
Wow!!! What an outstanding book.
Twin sisters, Rose & Fern. They don’t look alike, Rose is short with dark hair, Fern tall and blonde, their personalities are also very different.
Rose is manipulative, outgoing and bossy. Fern is gentle, quiet and has a sensory processing disorder,
Rose has always been Fern’s protector, they had a difficult childhood and their mother has been in a nursing home for 10 years following a stroke. Rose works as an interior designer, is married, has a fertility problem and longs for a baby. Fern is a librarian, single and has decided to help her sister have a baby.
The story of a gentle new friendship between Fern and Wally is so well written, her issues with noice and bright lights described so well, I could see her with her goggles and ear muffs on, they melted my heart. The story is twisty, fast paced, clever and brilliant.
Five stars and more

I loved this book! It started out as being a sweet, loving story of two sisters and then BOOM it turned into a twist of thrills. The characters, especially the twin sisters, were all great! The storyline was very easy to follow along with and the events leading up to the main thrill were beautifully arranged.
I have read several of the authors books; and this one won’t be the last!

Fraternal twin sisters, one loved by their mom more than the other, one possibly on the spectrum with sensory issues, one seemingly stepping in to take control and manage things, but who can you trust? Is Rose's diary 100% honest? Is Fern TRULY to blame for the mistakes in her past? And with Fern's inability to see anything other than the very black and white way she does, will she ever be able to recognize manipulation? As a reader, who is manipulating who? Is mom manipulating Rose? Is Rose manipulating Fern or her husband Owen? Is Wally manipulating Fern? Or is Fern manipulating everyone? Read to find out!!! So so good!

I watched an interview with the author before I read this book and it gave me some great insight . I always love her books, always a good twist or two thrown in that I didn’t see coming! And I loved Fern and Wally. The author leaves you guessing until near the end which twin is the good sister. But also just how bad is the bad one?

*4.5 stars rounded up!

This story is told by fraternal twin sisters...so different in looks and temperament. Rose is short, dark and round, in a troubled marriage but trying to get pregnant; the other sister, Fern, is tall, blond, willowy, single, and working as a librarian. She is somewhere on the autism spectrum with sensory-processing issues.

The girls had a difficult childhood after their father left their mother--they were often homeless, relying on the kindness of strangers for a place to sleep, using the library as a haven of refuge, but ending up in foster care when their mother suffered a near-fatal overdose.

It's no wonder the girls have remained close over the years, watching out for each other. Rose is a tense, driven woman; she thinks she knows what's best for both herself and her sister. Fern is actually pretty amusing and likable as tries to do her best in a world that is often overwhelming and incomprehensible. She is grateful to Rose for keeping her horrible childhood secret safe and would love to return the favor by helping Rose get the baby she seems to want so badly. Just how far would Fern go to do that?

Rose's portions of the story are told through the journal entries her psychiatrist suggested she write, while Fern's are her actual day-by-day experiences as she bumbles through her life, trying to understand the nuances of conversation and the clues of facial expressions. As the story progresses, the reader begins to wonder which sister is really the 'good' one. Either, or, neither? A lovely, twisty-turny plot that keeps the reader enthralled until the final page.

I received an arc of this new suspense novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity!