First, I would like to suggest the title is poor. Too many books titled the same and published previously. Needs a rethought. Not attention grabbing. Now to the novel. Well written and very descriptive of several main characters who are on the autistic spectrum. That factor certainly makes the protagonist an interesting focal point of the book. High functioning autistics enable us to accept some of the premise but the happily ever after ending with a very rich Prince Charming is not really believable. I recommend the novel because it flows well but the inevitable denouements are too predictable. Thanks for providing the read... I truly appreciate Net Galley.

I really enjoyed this easy-reading mystery, and seeing how my understanding of the two sisters and their relationship evolved as I got to know the characters better. And of course the library setting was so much fun! I'll be recommending this book to every reader who loved Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely fine—and that's a lot of readers!

I just finished reading an advance reader copy of The Good Sister by @sallyhepworth a few nights ago and I can honestly say I loved it - it pulled me in from the first page and kept me up late at night as I kept reading “just one more chapter.”

This story of twin sisters is twisty and endearing and intriguing all at the same time. Rose and Fern have had to rely on each other ever since they were kids, growing up with a unstable single mother. Rose has always protected Fern, whose sensory issues and difficulties reading others’ emotions often made her the odd one. Fern, in return, would do anything for Rose - including having the baby she can’t conceive. But they’re both keeping secrets that threaten to destroy their lives. And we, the readers, get drawn into those lives easily as we get to know each sister through alternating POV chapters.
It’s a fun ride I highly recommend! It doesn’t release until April, but it’s definitely worth the wait.

“Some people are in such utter darkness that they will burn you just to see a light. Try not to take it personally.” -Kamand Kojour

Thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress and @sallyhepworth for this early ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛ! 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 will hit shelves April of 2021!

If you enjoyed 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻-𝗟𝗮𝘄 and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿, get ready for another great twisted domestic drama from Sally Hepworth. I started this one last night and could not put it down until the last page. Available for preorder now! 𝟰.𝟱/𝟱 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀:
From the outside, everyone might think Fern and Rose are as close as twin sisters can be: Rose is the responsible one, with a home and a husband and a fierce desire to become a mother. Fern is the quirky one, the free spirit, the librarian who avoids social interaction and whom the world might just describe as truly odd. But the sisters are devoted to one another and Rose has always been Fern's protector from the time they were small. Fern needed protecting because their mother was a true sociopath who hid her true nature from the world, and only Rose could see it. Fern always saw the good in everyone. Years ago, Fern did something very, very bad. And Rose has never told a soul. When Fern decides to help her sister achieve her heart's desire of having a baby, Rose realizes with growing horror that Fern might make choices that can only have a terrible outcome. What Rose doesn't realize is that Fern is growing more and more aware of the secrets Rose, herself, is keeping. And that their mother might have the last word after all.

#goodreads #bookish #booksharks #booksparks #cvilleva #cvillebooksandwine #drinkandread #bookstagram #book #bookstagram #bookaddict #bookphotography #bookphoto #bookaesthetic #bookrecommendations #bookreviewer #tbr #tbrpile #tbrlist #sallyhepworthauthor #sallyhepworth #stmartinspress

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth can be compared to a picture that shows two different images. Some people see one thing in the picture and some people see something different. Eventually, the two pictures begin to meld. So which is the good sister in the story? At first, the plot seems obvious. Fern appears to be a high functioning young woman on the autism spectrum. Her twin sister, Rose, has always "taken care" of Fern. From a dysfunctional childhood to a regimented adult life, Fern and Rose are inseparable. The story flashes between childhood scenarios and adult situations that seem pretty cut and dried. I have to admit I wasn't expecting the "plot to thicken" like it did. The Good Sister is not to be missed. Do yourself a favor and settle in with an open mind and plenty of time. You don't want to read quickly because you might not be ready for the final scene!
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Good Sister had me hooked from page 1 and didn’t let go. I liked the alternating narrative between Rose and Fern. I really love Fern and Wally! Fern is so cool. She does so much, handling her sensitivity disorder so well. I love her directness. The plot builds and builds and definitely packs a punch. I give it 5 plus on a 5 star rating. I put a review on Goodreads but can’t figure out how to get the link to put it here. Thanks so much for the advance copy. I love it!!

Wow! The Good Sister was a thrilling read that kept me wanting to find out more but I didn’t want it to end. The beginning confused me at first, but once I figured out the rhythm of the chapters going back and forth between sisters it was a nonstop page turner. What I thought was constantly being challenged, and without spoilers it’s hard to say more. This was my first book by Hepworth, but I will definitely be reading more of her. If you are looking for a book that always keeps you guessing and wanting more, this is it!

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Such a fun read!!! I completely fell in love with Fern and found myself rooting for her on every page. Hepworth drew both sisters so vividly and I read the story in one sitting. Highly recommend!!!

How far will you go to protect your sister?! Twin sisters, Fern & Rose, are as close as sisters can be. Rose is the responsible one and a husband whose desire is to have a child. Fern is free spirited, a librarian with sensory issues that makes her social life a bit challenging. Rose is very protective of Fern which began with their mother. Things start to unravel when Fern helps Rose be a surrogate. Rose is not so innocent after all! It’s a slow build up but then it moved along & it got twisty and suspenseful! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

Sally Hepworth delivers a repeat performance of her previous book, The Mother-In-Law, in this twisted, dark, story, in The Good Sister, the story of Fern and Rose, twin sisters who could be nothing less alike. Except for the fact that one appears to be almost completely dependent on the other, and that they each have bracelets with their names and a fern or a rose on it, these fraternal twins

When we meet them, Fern appears to be a shy mouse, likely a person with Asperger’s syndrome (or, “on the spectrum “), working in a library and leading a quiet life, very dependent on her sister. Rose is a very driven interior designer, married, whose husband is far away on business. Rose is desperate to have a child, but is apparently infertile. Fern wishes she could get pregnant, and, “... knowing she could not raise a child ...”, sets out to find a man to impregnate her. And then we are off to the races, as the sisters’ history, apparently shrouded in mystery, unfolds. BUT, as it is ultimately revealed, there’s not a shred of mystery - only a long trail and tale of something very dark, indeed, although not necessarily mysterious.

Saying more would walk directly into the land of spoilers. Suffice to say, Hepworth’s signature style makes this book as unputdownable as The Mother-In-Law. I hope this brief description is enough to whet the appetite of anyone who likes stories where things are not at all what they seem.

The character development in the book is marvelous, especially when it comes to Fern, her colleagues at the library, and an eventual love interest for Fern. Rose’s character develops deliciously as well. I especially enjoyed the ways that Fern manages to overcome or protect against the overstimulation that so many people on the spectrum experience, and some of them are downright hilarious; wearing swim goggles to prevent overstimulation by bright lights, for example, or hiding out in a little closet in the library when it gets too noisy or she’s overwhelmed by having to try to fix the printer. It’s not a spoiler to say that the part of the book that shows Fern emerging from what she thought was her necessarily constricted existence is a joy to behold; brilliant, in fact.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4++ stars.

I tore through this book in one very unproductive morning. Twin sister Fern and Rose are very close, having dinner together three times a week. Rose is organized and responsible and helps Fern who is on the spectrum and has sensory issues. Told from each of their POVs, you learn more about each of the women and their turbulent childhood. I loved Fern and how she viewed the world.

This was a psychological thriller that I couldn’t put down. The sisters were thought provoking and believable. You meet them by their turns at narration. A little predictable, but enough suspense to keep you on the edge until the end. Thank you NetGalley, St Martins Press and Sally Hempworth for this enjoyable read.

Sorry, but I couldn't get past the first few pages. There was nothing that made me want to spend anymore time reading.

Sisters Rose and Fern are as different as chalk and cheese, with Rose being the down to earth, settled sister while Fern is a free spirit. Rose has been her sister’s protector for as long as she can remember, she acted as a buffer between Fern and their mentally unstable mother. Now Fern want to pay Rose back by helping her achieve her dream of becoming a mother. The trouble is, Fern doesn’t always understand the difference between good and bad and she will do anything, anything at all to make Rose happy

I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. It was a great psychological thriller without being gory and gruesome. I will definitely read more by Sally Hepworth.

Thank you NetGalley for this early copy of The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth. This is the second novel I have read by this author and I will have to go and get her others.
Having daughters I could really see this dynamic of complete love tempered by the seesaw of unfairness of who is loved more!
As far as thrillers go this one definitely set the stage - I was anguished over the mother's behavior and the daughters plight. As the book progresses I was rooting for one and questioning of the other and wanting to find out what is going to happen. Pretty much the hallmark of a page turner. While the end is predictable the journey to us is well spent. I liked the setting of a library and the sentiment that a library is for all people.
Fast fun read and a cast of compelling characters. I really liked the line... will you be my person, the thought of that question moved me.

I loved this book! Sally Hepworth does a great job of keeping you on your toes by switching the narrator throughout - and the twist at the end.. .WOW!!! Would highly recommend for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.

Mesmerizing. Both Rose and Fern are very believable and Hepworth paced this very well. I didn't catch on until at least halfway through the book. Good job! (Does Rose remind anyone else of anyone in the news in this crazy election year?)

I recently read The Mother In Law and loved it so I jumped at the chance to read The Good Sister! It’s a psychological thriller at its best! This is the book that you will stay up all night reading! It’s hard to explain without giving away spoilers and my recommendation is to go in blind on a day you can spend cuddled on the couch doing absolutely nothing! This is one of my go to authors for sure!