This book held my interest from the very beginning. The author brought out the traits , characteristics and thoughts of the characters so that they seemed very real. It was almost if you knew Rose and Fern personally. Rose would anger me as she doted on Fern keeping her so dependent on her. I felt sorry for Fern because of her fears yet was upset that she would not be more outgoing.
Rose and Fern shared everything - even a horrible secret. A secret that they kept to themselves and did not reveal to anyone. Each sister thinks that she is protecting someone but are they protecting the wrong person?

An exciting thriller that will keep you on edge as you turn each page and find another surprise. Read on and find out that things are not always as they seem!

5⭐️! I really enjoyed The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth! I devoured it in 2 days. First off, the cover is beautiful and caught my eye! I am also a big fan of Sally Hepworth! I loved A Mother’s Promise (another 5⭐️ read in my opinion) - so when I saw she had a new book, I knew I had to check it out. The book description intrigued me, as the book is about twin sisters, their bond, and their secrets.

It’s definitely a story that builds up and develops the characters so well. I loved Fern’s innocence and how she takes everything so literal and how she says what she thinks without a filter! Rose filled the big sister and protector role. It talked about rough times in their childhood and the bond they had to have - it kept me wanting to know more and my heart broke for them at parts of the story.

The two main characters Fern & Rose could not be more different. Rose seemingly has it all together and Fern, with sensory issues, relies heavily on her sister, who is “her person.” Then things of course aren’t as they seem. There were some twists towards the end that took a different direction than I could have imagined and things started falling into place and giving me those “ah-ha” moments!

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Thanks to Sally Hepworth and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The Good Sister. Is she and if so, which one is she?

Fraternal twins, Fern and Rose, have a complicated relationship. Told from two different POVs, The Good Sister keeps you guessing just long enough for that awesome reveal. Twisty, turny...throw in a possible unreliable narrator, or two, and it is a perfect thriller.

I could not put this book down. Excellent read. Brilliant character development.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book. The following is my honest opinion:

This is the first book that I've read by Sally Hepworth and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis and couldn't wait to start reading. From that point on, I kept turning pages!

The story centers around twin sisters who couldn't be more different in most aspects, except for one. They both seem to be fiercely protective of one another and therefore share an unbreakable bond. The story is told from two alternating viewpoints. The first is through the diary of Rose. Her entries allow the reader to delve into the past and in many ways the events that shaped the two adult women in the story. The second narrative is from the lens of Fern. On the spectrum, Fern struggles with stimulus sensitivity issues. She cannot tolerate bright lights, loud noises, or unexpected touches. Luckily, Rose has always been there to protect Fern from the things that she finds disruptive. When Fern becomes pregnant, Rose is worried that she won't be capable of caring for the child because Fern did a very bad thing when they were kids.

Hepworth does a great job bringing the characters to life. It's impossible not to love Fern. She has some quirks but once you start looking at the world through her eyes, maybe she's not the strange one after all. It's impossible not to root for Fern. Even knowing the crime she committed, one wants to justify her actions. Likewise, Rose is the sister that deserves to be admired. She has spent her life protecting her twin and watching out for her in all aspects, especially throughout their childhood from their psychologically (and perhaps physically) abusive mother.

It all sounds too good to be true. So, is it? Hepworth weaves a story that leaves you wondering. What lies are the twins telling? Are they both reliable narrators? Just how far is each willing to go to get what they really want?

Great story on many levels. It questions what really makes a good mother? How about a good sister?

While a bit predictable, this book is still an engrossing read that I definitely would recommend to others!

I absolutely loved this book. I normally only do audiobooks because my eyes have gotten so bad the past few years, but this book was so good, I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

The characters were so well thought out. I have sensory processing disorder myself, so maybe that is why I felt especially fond of Fern and Wally.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book!

A quirky free-spirited librarian with Asperger's, Fern Castle likes to keep her life strictly regimented. On the other hand, Fern's twin sister Rose is the responsible one with the perfect house and the perfect marriage, a sister who spent their childhood protecting Fern from their abusive mother. When Fern discovers her sister cannot get pregnant, she decides she can have the baby for her. As Fern starts making more choices on her own, she begins to realize that maybe Rose might not such a good sister after all.

After loving The Mother-in-Law, Hepworth's latest novel wasn't as good as I had hoped. I adored Fern's character and loved seeing life from her point of view. Her romance storyline is well-played and she was an all-around perfect narrator. The problem is that even from the start you know that Rose is the villain, which makes the whole drama utterly predictable. 

I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, because I really did enjoy reading The Good Sister. I guess I just wish Hepworth's publishers would stop trying to market her books like thrillers when they are in reality character-driven family dramas.

Set in Australia, what starts as a dark tale of loss told by Rose, a twenty-eight-year-old interior designer, becomes a fun romp as told by her fraternal absent-minded twin sister Fern, who works at a library. Rose’s husband recently left to take a job in London, but Rose stayed home to take care of her sister. She’s done that since they were kids, surviving a chaotic childhood. When Fern learns Rose yearns to have a baby, she dives into research and comes up with a secret solution to help Rose that won’t involve prohibitive costs or medical treatments. But first, Fern, who has social anxiety, must get a date. The story moves along at a fast pace and ends with a twist. I really enjoyed reading this book.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth is an incredible read. Fraternal twins, Rose and Fern have a co-dependent relationship and couldn’t be more different from each other. Tall, willowy Fern is a single librarian with sensory processing difficulties. Rose is short, married and trying to become pregnant. Told in alternating narratives by Fern in real time and Rose’s diary, we see two drastically different viewpoints of their lives growing up. I absolutely adored the endearing character, Wally. Well written with great character development, you will be guessing until the very end just who the good sister is.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of The Good Sister in exchange for an honest review.

Rose has always had to take great care of her twin sister, Fern, who has trouble with sensory overload and managing her everyday life. She has had to protect her from their abusive mother who brought random men into their lives. But protect Fern from herself is Rose's most challenging chore of all because Fern is capable of great harm to others.

Fern is a happy librarian, but she shy's away from to much interaction with people, noises and loud sounds. She never knows how to socially interreact with people. She loves Rose to extremes because she is the only person who has always been there for her, and would do anything for her. When Rose confides that she will not be able to have children Fern comes up with a plan to get pregnant and then give the baby to her sister. When she meets a quirky drifter who is the perfect candidate for her plan, however she never expects to fall for him, but who is manipulating who?

This is a surprising thriller told from both perspectives of the sisters. It is very well written twisty novel, and I loved the perspective of Fern and how she interacts with the world. I would recommend this for suspense and thriller fans.

Story of paternal twin sisters Rose and Fern raised by their mother, often homeless/. Told in alternating chapters from the past and present, Rose has always been protective of Fern who suffers from a sensory processing disorder. The sisters' relationship begins to change as Fern becomes involved with a man. As more is revealed about the twins' past, apparently appearances are deceptive.
Fast paced read.

A fun and addictive thriller that I couldn’t put down! The main character is on the spectrum and some of the chapters narrated by her reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

I will say I wasn’t shocked at the end as I predicted a few of the turns, but even so, I would recommend it as an enjoyable fast read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! This is the first book I have read by this author and it didn't disappoint. I was hooked within the first few pages. A great story about sister relationships and the love/hate feelings that come with being siblings. The story is about twin sisters who have a dark secret but their recollections are a bit different. Fern is one of the sisters who is sensory sensitive but very very smart and her twin sister Rose is the "caregiver" and cares for Fern and protects her. The series of events that unfold keep you on the edge of your seat. Great read!!! Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for providing me with the ARC of this book.

An unflinching examination of the bonds of sisterly love, both light and dark, both cherished and tested are fraternal twins Rose and Fern.

Please do not confuse this book with one of a similar title (The Favorite Sister), Sally Hepworth’s approach to plot development and character discovery is far superior. I had an instant liking to Fern for being on the spectrum and sharing many of my quirky traits and behaviors. It is a rare joy for me to see a raw and true reflection of my own thought processes represented (most good depictions focus on a male perspective, like in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).

I also found the alternating POV style to be quite clever and engaging . . . a path of puzzle pieces and thrills that lead to a stunning conclusion.

There was so much for me to enjoy about this story and I sincerely thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy of The Good Sister for review.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review

I have always enjoyed stories about siblings but the book went way past my expectations! Rose and Fern were fraternal twins and it appears that Rose is the sister who looks after her sibling, but does she? A great “who done it” read that will keep you turning pages way into the night! I am looking forward to reading more books by Sally Hepworth! She is my new favorite author!

Fern and Rose are twins, but are as different as night and day. Fern has sensory issues. Rose has diabetes. Fern has been single for most of her 28 years. Rose is married, although the marriage is estranged. Fern has never even thought about having children. Rose and her husband have always wanted children, but never thought they’d have them. This plants a seed in Fern’s head that she can help her sister out with the ultimate gift.

This doesn’t really hit suspense/thriller territory until about halfway through. However, you will not be disappointed getting to know the characters and learning about their quirks. It’s all part of the groundwork for the second half. There are plenty of surprises and dark turns ahead, and the whole journey!

I enjoyed this book, I went into it thinking it was a psychological thriller, but the first half or so doesn't really come off that way. Although there is a small sense of foreboding, it starts out as a family drama, about a great character named Fern. I fell in love with Fern. She is a librarian, who obviously has Asperger's - although this is never said outright. She knows that she is just a bit different than everyone else, The author does an excellent job of letting the reader get into Fern's mind. Fern has a twin sister, Rose, who appears to be a "good sister", but you do get the feeling that there is something not quite right about Rose and her relationship with Fern.

There is also a romantic storyline between Fern and Wally/Rocco, who she meets in the library and thinks is homeless. She comes to find out he is a a brilliant entrepreneur, But this doesn't mean anything to her. What she loves about Wally is that he is a lot like her. It is a really sweet love story.

The chapters alternate between Fern's and Rose's points of view with excellent character development throughout,. Thr book also alternates between the past and present, with emphasis on a terrible incident that happened when the girls were young,. Things start to get intense in the last third to half of the book, with some interesting twists and turns and secrets revealed. Without giving anything away, I love that Fern sticks up for herself and that her innocence and good heart win in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

What a ride! This story keeps you guessing- even when you think you know, it turns out you don't. Even when you think you have everything worked out, there's something you've missed. I hugely enjoyed this read, devouring it in two days' time.

An enchanting, enthralling, and utterly beautiful women’s fiction novel with a twist of domestic suspense, The Good Sister is that rare story that manages to hit all the right buttons.

Rose and Fern are fraternal twins who survived a traumatic childhood with a narcissistic mother. Fern has sensory issues: noises frighten her, she doesn’t trust herself or anyone around her, and therefore Rose has spent her life being Fern’s protector. But Fern is changing. Growing. And she’s realizing Rose has secrets she’s been keeping.

The most compelling aspect of this story is Fern, who is one of the most utterly irresistible protagonists I’ve read in a long time. I was absolutely enamoured with her and the way her character changed throughout the story.

Sharply insightful, compassionate, funny in places, with a dash of romance, The Good Sister is a smart, absorbing story of sisterhood and survival, and how the truth often looks much different than what we think. This was my first Sally Hepworth book, and it won’t be my last. Fans of Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin will love it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

After reading The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, I was extremely excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. You can always count on Sally Hepworth to create an enticing thriller.

Right from the first paragraph I was drawn to the effortless writing style. Switching between journal entries from the past and present day events, Hepworth almost creates an uneasy feeling for her readers.

As someone who lives with sensory processing difficulties, I identified with Fern on so many levels. Let me just say that it takes talent to write about such character traits in a tactful and respectful manner. Fern was eccentric and quirky but completely genuine with her every day battles.

Unlike many modern thrillers, the story line was not centred about the “big twist”. Much rather the enjoyment can be found in the narrative leading up to the climax and the balance between each character.

All in all, The Good Sister” was a riveting and enjoyable read. Sally Hepworth is definable making her mark in the bookish world.