This is the third book I've read by [author:Sally Hepworth|8123141] and once again it was a great read. I find Hepworth's writing to be engaging and easy to read. Time seemed to slip by while I was reading this story making it a quick read.

I won't rehash the book blurb or let on to what happens, but you are given two perspectives in this book and it is up to you to decide how much and who you believe. The story bounces between adult twin sisters. Rose is diabetic and wants a baby. She is writing in a journal and tells the story of their upbringing. Fern has sensory processing issues and wants to help her sister have a baby. She tells the story of their present day life. At some point you realize their stories don't seem to coincide. All is revealed at the end.

I look forward to reading more of Hepworth's work.

This was the first of Sally Hepworth’s books I’ve read. It won’t be the last.
Initially, I thought I was reading a charming story about a pair of sisters, Rose who is still recovering from an abusive childhood and Fern who is finding love as a neurodivergent person. But then, the story takes a delicious turn and we can’t be sure of what the sisters have been telling us. The twists and turns kept me guessing and the plot has just the right blend of darkness and light.

I’m in the minority opinion most certainly, but this thriller wasn’t really a thrill. The juxtaposition of what appears to be a good twin/damaged goods twin is only a somewhat promising beginning. But wait, here comes the twist, and the surprise ending. Except the surprise ending was not very surprising, and the stable sister was the more unlikeable (read shady) sister all along.
The writing is straightforward and easily digestible, and there were no unresolved plot issues. Those who are fans of contemporary thrillers will most likely gobble this up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing this ARC to review.

Twins sisters who are alike in many ways yet different as well. Rose is married and successful, Fern is single and can be awkward and quirky. They had a rough upbringing, their mom struggled with her mental health and they were often homeless and lived in a library from time to time. Their mother wasn't the most stable and supportive role model in their life so they often had to reply on one another - mostly Rose looking out for Fern. Now that they are adults and Fern lives alone and has a job, Rose still plays the caretaker and looks after Fern as she feels it is her responsibility to look out for her.

I enjoyed how this novel was told from two POV's - from Fern's POV and from Rose's POV as we reach entries in her diary. We watch as their relationship evolved from childhood into adulthood, and not everything is as it appears to be. We learn many revelations from reading the entries in Rose's diary, that prove not everything is as it appears. Full of secrets, lies,, betrayal, and deception, this book will have you hooked as you read along and learn about Rose and Fern's relationship, and find out who they truly are. Are they both hiding something? Which one can you trust to tell you the truth?

An enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

Y'all I really liked "The Good Sister". This twisty, fast paced story had the perfect amount of tension and love to make for a great thriller. Fern, who has Asperger’s, was a fantastic character, probably my favorite in quite a long time. Hepworth has incredible character arcs, as the story went, I found myself liking them more and more. Between a charming love story, a bit of drama and moments of suspense, I found myself really looking forward to reading Hepworth's backlist novels.

4.5 stars.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of The Good Sister in return for an honest review. This was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be a routine mystery with some twists and turns and it turned out to be so much more. This was a compelling, in-depth personality study of two very different women who happened to be twin sisters. Their characters, hearts and minds, and their history kept me riveted throughout. I was conflicted while reading. On one hand, I wanted to rush through the story to discover their secrets and fate. On the other hand, I wanted to read slowly in order to prolong the enjoyment and suspense I was feeling.

Rose is married and living a comfortable lifestyle. She is depressed due to a medical problem that prevents her from having children. Her husband has left her due to her constant sorrow and mood swings, resulting in a strain on their marriage. Both sisters live near one another in Australia. Rose's husband has gone to London on a business trip following breaking up with Rose. Rose decides to follow him with the goal of reconciliation. She considers herself to be a fierce protector and helper of her sister, Fern. Their mother has been in a nursing home for years, incapacitated due to an overdose and a stroke.

Fern over-reacts to sensory stimuli. She cannot abide loud sounds, strong aromas, bright lights, or being touched. She avoids eye contact during conversations and is a literal thinker. She is awkward in social situations. It is possible that she functions at a high level on the autistic scale, but has never been diagnosed. Fern is content working daily in a library but refuses to learn how their computers and printers work. She loves all other aspects of her library routine. When overcome by people or sensory stimuli, she has a secret little room as a retreat while calming down. She learns about Rose's unhappiness and decides to have a baby to give to Rose in return for all her help.

We learn through Rose about their mother's abuse and neglect and a childhood tragedy involving Fern. She feels that Fern has repressed early memories and is still forgetful.
One day, a man enters the library to take a shower. He is an American who is living in his van. Fern is dawn to him as she thinks he looks like Waldo in the Where's Waldo books. She calls him Wally and they strike up a friendship to Rose's dismay. Rose doesn't want the vulnerable Fern associating with a homeless man. We discover Wally's true identity. He has secrets of his own.

This is only the beginning of a very twisty, gripping plot. I won't reveal more. I became heavily involved in the story and its outcome for both sisters. This is the first time I have read anything by Sally Hepworth, but am now a fan and intend to read more of her books.

With The Good Sister, Sally Hepworth does it again. I loved The Mother-in-Law, so I was delighted to get my hands on an early copy of her latest book.

Y'all this book is so good! We have twins Rose and Fern, who are as different as could be. Oh, and there's also a sociopathic mother. We start with Rose as the protector and Fern as the quirky one. (Fern is a neurodiverse character with a Sensory Processing Disorder.) As adults, Rose wants a baby but cannot conceive, and Fern wants to help Rose fulfill her deepest desire.

As we start to travel back through diary entries, we start to see that things aren't quite as they seem, and the apple(s) may not fall far from the tree. What are the true motivations? What secrets are being hidden? What lies are being told?

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing a copy of this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed Sally Hepworth’s first novel but this one was just not well-developed. The storyline seemed hokey and I lost interest half way through. A miss on this one.

I have been a Sally Hepworth fan since I read Mother-In-Law so I was very excited to read The Good Sister. I went into reading this book without knowing what it was about at all, and let me tell you I was shocked in a good way! This book starts off relatively benign as a story about two twin sisters and their relationship and then it just takes off in a whole new suspenseful and thrilling way. I loved the way the chapters alternated between the two sisters highlighting the fact that each of them saw their childhoods (and present day lives) play out in completely different ways. Of course only one of the sisters is a reliable narrator, and I spent most of the book trying to figure out who. The character development in this story was perfect and the ending was unexpected in the best possible way. I also felt that Sally Hepworth handled Fern’s sensory processing issues in a way that will bring a sense of understanding to people who have not had to deal with that in their lives. This is the perfect book to devour in a weekend. Once you pick it up you will not be able to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for a copy in exchange for a review.

Two sisters that are as different as can be. Will you be able to tell which one is the good sister?
I really enjoyed this book. The author developed the characters by giving us flashbacks from their childhood and what a childhood that was. Of course we were also shown their present situation.and the problems they were both facing.
I do not want to let everything out of bag, you need to find that out for yourself. Expect to enjoy a good read.

I will always have a special place in my heart for characters like Fern Castle.

The Good Sister is an amazing domestic suspense and was so much more than I was expecting it to be! This novel is about fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, who are polar opposites.

Fern is a quirky librarian with sensory issues while Rose is the responsible and protective sister.

This story alternates between Fern's point of view (present day) and Rose's journal entries in which she talks about their troubled childhood with a sociopathic mother and her current infertility issue and desperate want for a baby. I really enjoyed both POVs, but Fern's was my favorite. I really loved reading about her working at the library (she's great when you need a book recommendation but will keep walking and pretend she didn't hear you if you ask for help with the computers or photocopiers!) and her relationship with Wally.

I was captivated with Fern's character from the very beginning and flew through this book in 2 days because I could not put it down. As the story moves along, you find out about the dark secrets of these characters and I just had to keep reading to see how it all played out! I felt such a connection to these characters that I found myself angry, sad, hopeful or tense throughout most of the book because of all the drama. Any book that can make me feel so deeply while reading is a 5-star read for me! I don't think I'll ever forget about the cast of The Good Sister.

I highly recommend this one! Don't blame me for your book hangover though! ;)

Like always, Sally does it again! Her books are amazing. I have yet to read a book by her and not enjoy it. This one was my favorite so far. Loved the story and the twists.

The Good Sister is the second book I’ve read by author Sally Hepworth and I have to say this one blew me away. When I started reading it, I had no idea what I was in for. Wow, what a great story! It’s a psychological thriller about a set of fraternal twins, Rose and Fern who are about as different as different can be. Rose is shorter, heavier set and diabetic. Fern is taller, thinner and has a sensory processing disorder. Loud noises, bright lights and people touching her really bother her. Throughout their life it seems like Rose has to take care of Fern, watch over her and protect her, especially since their mother is made out to be a horrible mom. And in the early days, I believe Fern feels she needs Rose to do this. However as they get older, Fern holds down a job as a librarian, lives in her own flat and is starting to become independent. It’s a story about who you can trust, and who’s being deceitful and manipulating. There are some incidents and twists to the story that will really shock you, I know they did me. It’s a story that kept me reading late into the night and one I will be recommending to all my reader friends. I’d like to thank Erica Martirano, Senior Associate Director of Marketing at St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the invite and NetGalley for the arc to read, review and enjoy. This is a 5 star read and truly Sally Hepworth at her absolute best!

The premise is compelling, and the twists and turns unexpected. I initially had trouble connecting with the main character, especially the unrealistic way the library and her job in it was portrayed, but I was won over by the end and was rooting for her and the happy ending I hoped would come.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 4.5/5 stars

Sally Hepworth’s The Mother-In-Law was one of my favorite reads of 2019 and I could not wait to read her newest, The Good Sister. This could not be more different from the books I have read by her previously, but it is just as addicting.

The Good Daughter centers around twins Fern and Rose. Rose is the protector and the responsible one, while Fern is seen as the “quirky” one. They grew up with a mother that was a true sociopath, but only Rose could see it. When Fern decides to help Rose have a baby after fertility issues, secrets from their childhood begin to be revealed.

I sat down on my couch 10% into this book and did not move until I found out what happened with Fern and Rose. To avoid any spoilers, I will be vague. I loved this book and it’s odd mix of suspense, dread, sweetness, and emotion. Sally Hepworth has written some of the most lovable characters I have read in a while. She also managed to put a fresh spin on a typical thriller storyline. In my opinion, this is her best book yet and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Overall, The Good Sister is a fresh and addicting page-turner that is perfect for fans of Wendy Walker and Kaira Rouda.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


Full review to be posted closer to release date.

Despite being twins, Rose and Fern are about as different as two people can be. The Good Sister alternates between their two perspectives as the book shows glimpses of the past while progressing through present-day. A psychological thriller that will have you guessing what happens until the very end and not a cliche couples suspense... I highly recommend this book!

ust finished #thegoodsister by @sallyhepworth! I loved reading about the bond between Rose and Fern. It kept me guessing until the very last page.

Release date - April 13, 2021

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

❤️🧡💛💙💜💚🖤❤️🧡💛🖤💜💙💚
#netgalley #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #ilovetoread

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
Sally Hepworth’s latest novel is a realistic representation of family dynamics that constantly keeps you guessing until the very end.
A story of two sisters raised by a single mother and the ties that bind them together. Fern is the sister who needs extra help navigating through life. Whether it’s bright lights, loud noises, changes or overstimulation, Fern cannot cope without the help of her twin sister. She much prefers her routine and the quiet life of her library job. Rose, the caretaker, feels a responsibility to protect her sister. Dependable Rose is always in control and willing to help at a moment’s notice. The tie that bound the twin sisters together at birth helps them navigate through the turbulent household of a neglectful and mercurial mother.
The twists and turns in this stunning novel illustrate the complex relationship of sisters, the responsibilities of family and the unique codependency of these twins. The literary references and library setting had special appeal to this reviewer. This fast paced novel has earned a five out of five star rating!

The Good Sister is one part heartbreaking story of sacrifice on the level on Von Trier’s Breaking the Waves, one part Mommie Dearest, and it packs a memorable emotional wallop.

Rose and Fern share a special bond – they’re twin sisters. Rose has a husband, Owen, whom she loves deeply even though their marriage is a bit unstable - and she dreams of becoming a mother while working as an interior decorator.  Fern is a single librarian, and on the autism spectrum; diagnosed with sensory processing disorder, she is poor at reading social cues, has sensory issues, and is easily overwhelmed in crowded situations.

Rose has felt responsible for Fern since childhood, always trying to protect her from their sociopathic mother’s worst emotional and physical abuse. Although Fern sees things differently, Rose only remembers the mother who constantly played mind games and held back medical treatment from hypoglycemic Rose, whose juvenile diabetes contributes to the premature aging of her ovaries.

Having been incapacitated by an overdose, the girls’ mother now lives in a nursing home, but only Fern goes to visit her.   And Fern is the one who looks at childless Rose and decides that giving her twin sister a baby is just what she needs. On Fern’s part, this does not require a committed relationship, but she falls for the emotionally fragile Wally, and her altruistic project becomes a personal mission.

Rose looks at things differently as her marriage continues to melt down around her.  Very differently…

The Good Sister is about one of those symbiotic sibling relationships that is eerie and unhealthy to everyone but those who are participating in it.  Cheery Fern and controlled, sorrowful Rose are a single, breathing unit sometimes – they have been bound together since childhood by their mother’s apparent abuse, and by a secret that may or may not have branded Fern a murderer if it got out.  Their relationship can be explained thusly: they have engraved bracelets they’ve worn from birth – one with a rose stamped to it, one with a fern – and they tap them together as a form of silent morse code.

Which twin is the actual sociopath?  Hepworth telegraphs the answer to that one about midway through the book, but the way the story unspools - with its two unreliable narrators – will keep readers engaged regardless.  I can’t reveal much more of the plot, but suffice to say that the way that Hepworth writes library life – and the way she slowly unravels the horror deserves to be discovered by the reader themselves.

As for the romantic content of the novel, I can confirm that at least one of the sisters finds affecting and sweet-tempered love that’s a joy to read about.  And no, I’m not going to reveal which sibling it is!

It’s easy to like each of these women, depending where you are in the book.  The dark mystery of their shared childhood, the death they are covering up, and just which of them may have tried to do mom in – well, I won’t reveal that truth either.  The mystery’s final twist is positively chilling and provides a wonderful little shocker.

The Good Sister is one of Hepworth’s best mysteries, a fascinating, complex, and messy a statement about mother love.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible, or your local independent bookstore
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After really enjoying The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, I was greatly looking forward to her next book.

The Good Sister shifts between the perspectives of sisters Rose and Fern, from growing up together to present day. The writing is well-paced, and the story quickly draws you in. Of course, nothing is ever as it first seems, and that's part of the fun of this book.

I don't want to give any spoilers, so I will just conclude in saying that this is an enjoyable, fast read with interesting characters.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an electronic copy of this book.