I read The Mother in Law when it came out and loved it, so I was really excited about this one, and it did not disappoint. I think if you liked that book, you'll love this one too.⁣
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I really enjoyed the character Fern and her innocent and matter-of-fact take on everything life throws at her. If you like an unreliable narrator, you'll love this book. I did see the twist coming, but that did not detract from my experience. I just really loved the characters so much. ⁣

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Wow, I absolutely loved this! First, you have to go into this without expecting it to be a scary, on the edge of your seat thriller. The less you know the better. It is 100% psychological and I ate up every word of it. I was walking around doing chores with my kindle glued to one hand. I was so invested in Fern’s character and connected with her on many levels. Parts of her story made me all choked up. The writing had such a clear voice for each character. I cannot stop thinking about this book and I have already requested all of Sally Hepworth’s previous novels from my local library. I’ve also pre-ordered a hard copy of The Good Sister and cannot wait to recommend it to everyone I know. Excellent, 5 stars.

I was really nervous to pick up The Good Sister because I felt that Sally Hepworth's previous release, The Mother-in-Law was unjustly marketed as a thriller when it was really a family drama. I went into this book knowing that the vibe will probably be the same as it's predecessor, so I was cautious. However, this book definitely is a stronger, darker, and at times gut wrenchingly more powerful than I expected. ⁣⁣
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This story focuses on the relationship between two sisters and the trials and tribulations between them. I really enjoyed Liz Nugent's Little Cruelties and this book seemed to have a similar vibe. The writing is very dynamic and engaging and I really couldn't put it down. Go in without reading the synopsis, just as I did. I promise you you'll be in for a treat. I mainly navigated through this story with one of my credits from LibroFM and the audiobook was AMAZING. Audiobooks really can make or break the story, and I absolutely loved how it was told through that platform.

What a page turner, this book held my interest from beginning to end. The bond between sisters is very important to Fern and Rose, and they will do anything for each other. This book comes packing with a deep deep family secret, manipulation to the point that the character you like the most in the beginning of the book, might end up being the one you hate at the end of the book. I have read books by this author and her style of writing is just amazing, it flows so easily. This book left me with my mind blown, from beginning to end it was so darn good.

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I always find it hard to review thrillers without giving away the plot, but what I will say is that I enjoyed this book a lot! I was fully immersed in it and couldn't stop turning the pages. Hepworth did such an amazing job writing two distinctive POVs. In particular, I thought Fern's POV was amazingly written given her neuro-diversity. I loved how the author showed that Fern's neurodiversity does not constitute a barrier to inclusion or access. Fern is definitely one of the most interesting and best written female characters I have come across in a thriller recently,

TW: references to infertility, emotional abuse by a parent, sexual abuse

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Sally Hepworth is one of my favourite authors and i was so excited to be given an advanced copy of her new book. The Good Sister is my new favourite by her! The way she intertwines her characters- Fern and Rose - pulls the reader into their family drama and will keep you guessing what you think is true until the very end. You wont want to put this book down.
Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC.

I have read several other books by this author and I enjoyed them all. I think this one may have been my favorite so far. While I would not say this is a thriller but it is definitely a page turner. The story focuses on twin sisters who have very different perceptions of their childhood and tragic events that took place. One sister presents as an undiagnosed high functioning autistic person and she is portrayed very accurately (as someone who works with this population).

The story had a few good twists and turns and was a fun read!

I devoured this book quickly! It sucked me in from the beginning. I love Ferns character so much and am glad to see Aspergers syndrome being represented in this book. I loved the unique relationship between Fern and Wally. I also enjoyed the references to several other books and the library setting being a big part of this book. This is my 2nd book I’ve read from Sally Hepworth so I knew it was going to be good but it exceeded my expectations!

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Oh my gosh this book was AMAZING!! I flew through it, I couldn’t get enough! Sally Hepworth is a fantastic author!! My jaw is still on the floor. All the stars. I highly recommend everyone read this!!

A compelling psychological family drama with a captivating plot and well developed characters. Thoroughly enjoyed this twisty turns novel and loved the sister bond. Will recommend.

In Sally Hepworth’s new book, The Good Sister, she skillfully presents us with two fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, whom we see either through the eyes of each other — and the relationships between siblings is always complex — or through Fern’s inner thoughts and Rose’s diary entries. The result is an intense thriller as the secrets in their family are slowly revealed. Because Fern has Asperger’s Syndrome, she reports events literally, rarely seeing anything from someone else’s point of view. Rose, on the other hand, turns out to be the perfect unreliable narrator. Give this book to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers, especially those who enjoyed The Women in the Window or The Girl on the Train.

Sally Hepworth, you got me again! I was introduced to Hepworth last year when I read The Mother-in-Law, which I just loved. I was very excited to receive an ARC of her latest book, The Good Sister, which will be released on 4/13. I flew through it - and finished it in 2 days! It was a quick read, but also so mesmerizing that I didn't want to put it down.

Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who lean on each other a lot, especially after their mother overdoses on drugs and they are sent into foster care. Fern has sensory issues, and looks to Rose to help her navigate tough social situations. Rose feels like she must protect Fern, and rescue her when she has difficulties. Soon, we learn their relationship has more to it than meets the eye, and Fern must learn to trust her instincts more.

This is one of those books where you think you understand what's going on...then poof - it's something else entirely! I read along thinking I caught on to what would happen next, then I was surprised at the next reveal. Sally Hepworth is an expert at the domestic thriller genre, and I always enjoy the smart, and often funny internal dialogue she writes for her protagonists.

In The Good Sister I was rooting for Fern, and hoped she could find happiness and independence. Little did I know, her realizations would make me question all of the assumptions I originally had for each character - and this kept me hooked until the end!

This book was incredible, and I enjoyed every page! I highly recommend picking it up on 4/13!

This was a fun read! Slow burn domestic thriller. I loved getting you know these characters and seeing how it played out. Sally Hepworth is a great writer. Thanks to st martins for the ARC!

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO FOR YOUR SISTER?

SUMMARY
Rose, a well educated and empowered woman turned 27, and suddenly desperately wants a baby. Her ferocity is so intense that her husband, Owen leaves her.

Fern is Rose’s fraternal twin sister and has sensory processing issues. She avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises. Exposure to these things have a tendency to overwhelm her. She works at the library four days a week, she walks to work listening to audiobooks and is always 15 minutes early.

When Rose discovers she can’t get pregnant, Fern sees it as an opportunity to pay Rose back for all she has done to help Fern process the world. Fern decides she will have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father…

REVIEW
Aren’t sisters just the best! THE GOOD SISTER is a delightfully fun and quick read. Fern’s character is artfully drawn and simply adorable. Her sensory issues made for some humorous dialog and special situations. Fern’s new homeless friend, Wally just added to the fun. The library setting and the references to many books titles makes this book a librarian or book lovers’s dream.

Sally Hepworth’s writing shines as she explores bonds between these sisters and effortlessly blends stories from Fern and Rose’s traumatic childhood with the present. The story is full of drama and the final pages will have you cheering for more. It's a touching must read novel for these trying times.

Author Sally Hepworth lives in Melbourne, Australia and has written six previous novels including The Mother-in-Law (2019) and The Family Next Door (2018)

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published April 13, 2021
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Thank you netgalley and st. martin press for the eARC. Great and fast read could not put it down, how far would you go to keep secrets, family secrets to be exact? I wonder how far would a sibling go to for their own siblings? Let me ask you How far would go?

The Good Sister is the twisty and unpredictable thriller we all need this spring!

When Rose and Fern were younger, an event changed their lives forever. Rose has kept Fern safe ever since. Now that they are adults, Rose's dream is to have a child but she isn't having any luck. Fern finally sees a way she can pay Rose back for protecting her all these years and decides to have her child. lets just say things unravel from there..

This book switches back and forth between Fern's perspective and Rose's diary, which keeps things interesting. It had elements that were both predictable and shocking which I love! and is also very good exposure into what it might be like to live inside the mind of someone suffering with sensory processing disorder.

I absolutely adored this book! I will say that I don't see it as being a true thriller- there is definitely suspense and tension, but this book to me is more domestic suspense so bear that in mind before reading.

Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who couldn't be more different. Rose is married and hoping for a baby and Fern is a librarian who prefers the company of books. Fern is tall and lean like their mother, Rose was never quite fit in. Rose is a diabetic- and neurotypical. Fern is neither.

The story is told from alternating perspectives- Fern's present and Rose reflecting on her past through journal entries.

Much of the plot I was able to put together early in the book, but that diddn't stop The Good Sister being one I was unable to put down.

A lot of that is credited to Fern's parts of the book being an absolute delight to read. Her reactions and observations are so raw and honest that I couldn't help falling in love with her.

Of course, things are far from easy for Fern as she tries to navigate a life that gets increasingly complicated. Her growth as a character is beautiful andher perspective makes this a very unique read.


Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy.

The Good Sister was a twisty thriller that kept me hooked late into the night.

Hepworth is a master at building tension and I could feel myself getting more and more stressed as the book progressed. I kind of figured out where the story was headed but that actually made it even more suspenseful. Rather than the twist being a big shock for me, I just kept dreading what was going to happen next.

The relationship between sisters is a fascinating one but add in the twin element and it brings it to a whole new level. What I loved most about this book was that it incorporates a bunch of plot devices we find in thrillers rather than just focusing on one. That made it really fun to read because there were quite a few things going on.

I love books where your opinion of certain characters changes during the course of the story. You start thinking one thing and then are led on a journey to realize something else. That's the case here and it made it really enjoyable to realize you weren't on the right track.

Also, the story was mostly believable and realistic. I don’t require that in thrillers. I’m willing to suspend disbelief to enjoy the story but the fact that there weren’t tons of unrealistic parts that seemed unlikely or impossible made it even better.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Hepworth and St Martin's Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

At the beginning I was worried this book wouldn't be for me, but quickly I changed my mind. You get into the story fairly quickly and then you realize that this novel isn't just about two sister's relationship. It goes so much deeper and get so much darker than just a sibling rivalry. I didn't want to put this one down and found it was so easy to cruise through because I had to know what was going to happen with these sisters. I adored one of the sisters and how different her character is from the usual and the twists toward the ending had me slack jawed! Definitely would recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy of THE GOOD SISTER. I enjoyed the story and the writing is very well done.