This was a slow burn. I, at one point, thought I was reading a women’s fiction novel instead of a Sally Hepworth thriller. But, isn’t that how Hepworth just masters her craft? We get an innocent nice story and then bam, we are hit with the “OMG” “WHAT?!” “HOW”s and left not knowing who to trust.

First and foremost, I want to talk about Fern. Fern has some sensory hypersensitivity. I do want to thank Hepworth for not automatically giving Fern a diagnosis and labeling her something she’s not. I really enjoyed Fern’s journey and how slowly things were revealed to her. People take advantage of vulnerable people all the time, and I loved everyone in her corner. I really enjoyed how Fern was crafted.


This was absolutely twisty and toxic. It had me screaming at characters. I was so angry, I wanted to throw my phone, but umm.. I need it, so I didn’t. I became immensely frustrated with many of the situations at hand, but the frustration was a good thing. It was the kind where you just want to yell at your characters to wake up and stop and that throw all the red flags at them so that maybe they would get the hint. To invoke that kind of emotion and have me so deeply invested in the plot and characters is just superb storytelling.

Lastly, I did get a chance to listen to this on audio (thank you Libro.fm) and I honestly thought Sally Hepworth read it! She doesn’t, but it is still a truly wonderful audio! Barrie Kreinik is actually the reader and does a phenomenal job. They have done several Hepworth books, and I have enjoyed the audio.

I’m truly.. whoo. That ride, that reveal. I’m still at a loss for words. That was a great ride. Thank you so much St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the copy! The Good Sister is out April 13th

Sally Hepworth hits it out of the park again . A family drama and thriller rolled into one . Definitely pick this one up. This book was graciously provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a great story! This is a slow-burn psychological thriller that kind of sneaks up on you... for the first half of the book, I would have called it a family drama with some mystery involved, but then the roller coaster ride begins! You begin to realize that nothing is as it seems, are less sure who to believe, and then wait with bated breath to see how it all plays out. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy.

This is my second book by Sally Hepworth and what a story! This was so suspenseful, you just felt a simmering sense of unease the whole time and I never saw the twist coming. 5 amazing stars.

Hepworth has again delivered a book I sailed through in a day!

The Good Sister features Rose and Fern, fraternal twins. The two have dinner together three times a week, and Rose acts like a protector of sorts to Fern - while Fern is a fully capable adult with a job at her local library, she has sensory-processing issues and doesn't quite trust herself. While quite close, the sisters' relationship is pressured when Fern meets someone she's romantically interested in. The current timeline is told from Fern's perspective, while from Rose the reader sees journal entries looking back over trauma she's experienced in the past.

I really enjoyed the reading experience - feeling that urge to finish the book in a day, and being able to because it's not too wordy, is such a treat. I do wish the plot had been a bit more unpredictable, though.

I absolutely loved it!
Sally Hepworth’s latest book is not just a well written story about twins, Rose and Fern. The Good Sister incorporates pieces of well researched ‘incidental’ information and deals with the issues of sibling dynamics, mental health, and ASD.
I have read and enjoyed Sally Hepworth’s other books but The Good Sister is her best yet!
The Good Sister is an easy read and would be an ideal book club choice..... so many discussion possibilities!
Many thanks to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to devour this ARC before its official release date.

I've always enjoyed Sally Hepworth's books and The Good Sister is no exception. This book has vivid imagery and interesting characters. Although parts of the book are predictable, it's still a well-done and well-executed thriller.

Fern and Rose are twins. Fern has a sensory disorder and Rosecappears to be normal. Fern decides to have a baby for Rose who can't have one.

It is written in a dual time line format with Rose written as a journal and her past thoughts and Fern written in present time. The more you read, the more you want to keep reading to find out how it is going to end.

Enjoyable psychological novel that makes to wonder is anyone actually normal.

Thank you to Neygalley for the ACR

This story keeps you guessing from beginning to end. Fern & Rose are twin sisters that take turns telling this story. They are so different in so many ways. Fern has sensory issues that Rose helps her deal with throughout her life as their mother overdosed when they were younger. Rose is strong willed & helpful. I could not put this book down & highly recommend reading it!

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for honest review

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is fantastic!! A great domestic thriller of two sisters, twins Rose and Fern, that will keep you hooked and unable to put it down! I stayed up way too late and read this in one sitting! I loved the sisters, Fern with her innocence and honesty and Rose, her protector, with her toughness and gumption. I was shocked by the ending to say the least! There is nothing I didn't love about this exquisitely written story. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc!

This was one of those stay up for JUST ONE MORE chapter.
The story was engrossing.
Loved the characters.

I love Sally Hepworth’s books and adding her newest, The Good Sister, to my very favorites! I loved the twists, turns and surprises. Rose or Fern?. Fern or Rose?. The Good Sister. Which is it? Have fun reading to find out!

Most of the book is from Fern's view with snippets of Rose's diary. Fern is, without saying it, on the autism spectrum. Most of the book gives the reader a look inside her head as she navigates through current day. Rose's diary gives us insight into their childhood. Fern is practically unable to function without her sister despite having her own flat and a job at the library.⁠
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However, when Fern meets Wally, things begin to change and the sisters' relationship begins to fracture. In order to know who is the "good sister" and just who is the villain, you'll have to read it.⁠
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I love twisty psychological thrillers such as this one. No gore, no foul language... just psychological warfare at play. If you've thought of trying thrillers, give this one a go!⁠

This is my first book by Hepworth and I really liked it! It’s about the life of twin sisters. The book is told from dual POV. It switches back and forth between the two sisters. I will definitely be reading more by this author. I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley for an honest review.

This was a solid 3 star book! I can always count on Sally Hepworth’s books as a nice easy read but they always make you question who you can trust with some unreliable narrators.

This books is about Fern, who has a sensory processing issue and her fraternal twin Rose. The story alternates between Fern’s perspective and Rose’s journal. Long story short, Rose is struggling with fertility issues and has a strong desire for a baby and Fern has decided she will be the one to make it happen.

This book had my attention from the beginning and I continuously wanted to find out more about the sisters and their past. I also really enjoyed the ending

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

Unpopular review here. I have to say I was really looking forward to reading The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth but sadly I was disappointed. Don’t get me wrong I’m a fan of Ms Hepworth’s and have read several of her books but I found The Good Sister fell flat for me. I was wanting more depth. It was a very quick and quirky read and had some very funny moments but I felt the plot was unbelievable and lacking. Three stars for me.

What do you do when the one person that’s supposed to keep you safe- turns out to be the ONE person trying to drown you to keep themselves afloat?

THE GOOD SISTER
By: Sally Hepworth
Publishes: April 13, 2021
@stmartinspress

I would say that going in to this book I had certain ideas and boy was I wrong.

Interesting that I was exhausted at times by the continuous talk of Ferns library days, mentions of the very sad “houseless” situation, and everyday patrons.

But then I started to get the point. I think.

Her life is this way-monotonous, focused on the minute details, constantly missing the big picture.

I thought from time-to-time that Fern might be on the autism spectrum. She often misses social cues, can’t hear emotions through the static of words, and often times comes across as apathetic, distant and cold.

But I believe, rather than being a biological cause, it is actually a learned response to trauma.

She (Fern), is in a perilous family dynamic with a mother that is selfish (possibly narcissistic) confusing and hurtful, and a sister that doesn’t know how to see outside of herself. Doesn’t know where she (Rose) ends and Fern begins.

This lead to a beguiling and mislead notions about what love is and should feel like, what our past choices mean as a contribution to our ever evolving character and how to set boundaries that keep safe.

How to say NO!!

So the entire time I’m focused on Fern - when it’s actually someone else entirely that is not quite right, not quite solvent.

That is great writing. That deflection. I literally drown in that space between the knowing and the known.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley for this gifted copy!

Fraternal twins Rose and Fern were exceptionally close. Rose had always cared for Fern because of her sensory difficulties and when their mother overdosed and was placed in a home because of brain injury, Rose was more caring of Fern. Rose had always been ridiculed by their mother, while Fern always saw their mother as perfect. But of course, Rose was right. When the girls were twelve years old, something dreadful happened which no one ever talked about. It was buried deeply in the girls’ memories where it would stay.

When Fern discovered Rose was desperate for a baby, and was having difficulty falling pregnant, Fern decided to be a surrogate for her sister. She knew she would never be a good mother, and Rose would be perfect. Fern saw no problems – other than finding a man who would help her get pregnant! Fern’s daytime hours were consumed with her job as a librarian – she loved it and had been there for as long as she could remember. But slowly, Fern became uneasy about certain things Rose was doing. What was happening with her beloved sister? Had her whole life been a lie?

The Good Sister by Aussie author Sally Hepworth was amazing!! I didn’t expect what this book gradually built up to and boy! Did it blow me away. Told in both sister's voices, including the pages of Rose’s diary, the tension ramped up until it felt like I was being grabbed by the throat. I really enjoyed Fern’s character – flawed but doing her best under not ideal circumstances. (My grandson has sensory difficulties, just diagnosed, so I ‘got’ her) I’ve loved Sally’s previous works and this one didn’t disappoint. A brilliant read which I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and Erica Martirano of St Martin's Press for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I love Sally Hepworth and the way that she weaves her stories together. She captures family drama so well, and her endings are always excellent and usually take me by surprise. Fern and Rose are twins but so different. I appreciated how Hepworth portrayed Fern’s sensory issues. More of this is needed in books. I also liked how Rose’s diary and Fern’s POV slowly come together. There is so much exploration in this book from complicated sisterly bonds, remembering childhood differently, unexpected events, and twists and turns. But it all felt so real. I did figure out the twist, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this story. I listened in two days because I just how to know how it would end.

This is a book that sucks you in and makes you suspicious, right from the start. Because of how easy it would be to spoil this, I will keep my review short. Hepworth built this fantastic atmosphere that has you anxiously waiting for the shoe to drop. While I suspected what was happening, it in no way affected how much I didn’t want to put this book down. I loved Fern. She was endearing and drew you into her orbit. I loved watching her weave magic around the library she worked in. Her twin, Rose, wasn’t as endearing, and I found her too overbearing. These sisters are complete opposites, yet one of them isn’t “The Good Sister.” A very enjoyable read from start to finish. I am definitely a new fan. Thank you, St. Martin's, for sending this along!