Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this eARC! I’d probably rate this book a 3.75 star.

I enjoyed this book and the plot definitely kept me interested. I liked how the story was told from the perspective of each sister, then and now timelines, and that we got some peeks into Mrs. Fairchild’s brain with the snippets from her psychologist. Sometimes I found the narrative voice of the sisters in the present day chapters to be a bit similar and it could be hard to remember the perspective of which sister I was reading from. Usually this happened when all three were having a conversation or there weren’t as many details mentioned unique to each character’s life.

I did like how Hepworth had some commentary about how messed up the fostering system can be and how there are some really awful people who are allowed to foster children (and shouldn’t be). I also really appreciated that Hepworth advocated for these kids with her narrative as opposed to some thrillers I’ve read which rely on the narrative of a “troubled foster child” to commit whatever crimes are in the book. Another thing I loved was seeing the sisters stick together in the flashback chapters and that even amidst this woman’s psycho behavior and treatment they always had each other’s backs.

This is the story of three girls who met and bonded in the same foster home. In different ways, each was abused by their foster mother, yet none of the abuse was obvious to outsiders. Twenty five years later, the house has been sold and is being razed. The bones of a human are found in the basement and the police are called in to investigate. All the girls, now adults in their mid to late thirties, are brought back to the town for the investigation. The story is told in two perspectives, the first, their time as children in the foster home. The second is the current time and what the girls have evolved into in their present lives. Some of it, in my opinion, was slow reading, but the characters and plot were engrossing enough to ignore the slower parts. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

I have read and liked Sally Hepworth before for her smart thrillers and I was happy to check out her latest release. This story follows three girls, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, girls who grew up in foster care as the police discover a body in their former home. We then jump back in time to learn about what their life was like living with Miss Fairchild. I liked the view of foster care and making kids feel “lucky” if they have bad but not horrible situations. The focus on sisterhood and surviving childhood trauma together and the different ways that can affect people was interesting. This was a little bit of a slow burn though and more of a psychological thriller. Which worked for me, but it’s better to know that going in.

This was a “cute” mystery thriller. Is that a thing? Well now it is. It was a super quick easy read and I loved one of the characters, Norah, who made the read that much more fun. Was it a big reveal? Not exactly. Was it something completely new and twisty? Not exactly. Was it still entertaining? Yep.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are all sisters who spent time in a foster home 25 years prior and it wasn’t good memories. The only positive that came out of it was that they met each other, found each other, and found sisters for life. They each have very different lives but when they get a call from a detective saying bones were found under their previous foster home, they have to go back to where they came from and face some music all while dealing with their own personal issues that seem to follow them there.

It is told in a present and past pov which I really enjoyed and it really held my attention wondering what psycho moments they were going to experience next. It was done realistically and sadly enough the things they endured was heartbreaking. Their strength and bond was such a warming addition to all the ugly they lived.

If you want an easy, intriguing read this is for you!

Thank you netgalley and St. Martins Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 Stars. This was a great thriller/psychological mystery. Once I started I couldn't put it down, there were many twists and turns throughout the book. The story is told through the eyes of 3 sisters who are not biologically related all living at their foster home, Wild Meadows, under the care of their foster "parent" Holly Fairchild. What they go through there bonds them for life. Twenty-five years later, Wild Meadows has been torn down and excavated to make way for a McDonalds, and human remains have been found.

The story switches between their horrific past and the investigation in the present in a very balanced way without losing you. In fact, the switching POVs and the flashbacks bond you to each of the three women while reading.

Thank you Sally Hepworth, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I always, always enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books and this one was no exception. I loved how she wrote the book in the POVs of the 3 sisters, both in the present and past. Her storytelling is gripping and you have to just keep reading to find out the truth behind the mystery. And she ALWAYS has a crazy twist at the very end, after everything seems to be wrapped up neatly in a bow, that makes your jaw drop — and this one, I didn’t see coming either! I thought I figured out everything halfway through, but I should have known given it’s a Hepworth book, that there was more to the story. Another big thing I love the most about her books is that the mystery never seems unrealistic, and neither do the twists - which I greatly appreciate in this genre, as there are just so many books out there that are hard to connect with for that very reason.

Already looking forward to the next book, Sally! Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Genre: domestic thriller
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5/5 stars)
Format: eARC

Oh. My. Gosh. The twists in this one! Just when I thought it was wrapped up nicely, the author throws in one final unhinged twist.

I really enjoyed the premise of this one - a devious foster mother and 3 foster sisters. A body has been found. What happened?

The sister relationships in this were so good. I loved Alicia, Norah, and Jessica even though they each had their issues they needed to work through.

- Quick read with short chapters
- Multiple POVs
- Dual timeline
- Foster care setting
- Sister relationships
- Unhinged moments
- Unexpected twists

I can’t wait to read more of Sally Hepworth’s backlist! I’d definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my eARC in exchange for my honest review! Darling Girls is out on April 23rd.

Fabulous book! Lots of secrets, emotions, and a sleepless night! I wanted to cheer, I got mad, sad and happy all in one chapter! Never knew what emotions would arise. Then a major twist at the end!

Wow. This was my first book of Sally Hepworth's and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I truly believed that I had figured out the ending and yet, not so much! As a professional in the child welfare world, this book stuck in my heart. You hear (and live) horror stories and the way these girls' stories were told and honored really struck a chord with me. I can certainly see room for a sequel! *hint hint* and I definitely recommend this. Thank you to Sally Hepworth, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader's copy. Coming out April 2024, be sure to grab yourself a copy!

Another fantastic thriller from Sally Hepworth! This book had me hooked from beginning to end and I loved all of it. I loved the bond between the sisters and loved each one of their POVs. Definitely recommend this one!

This was my first Sally Hepworth book but it certainly won’t be my last! I was hooked from the moment I started reading! I love a good mystery thriller and this book had me gusssing till the very end! I can’t wait to read more books by this author and was so grateful to be chosen to read the ARC!

This book did not disappoint! What a wild ride! Darling Girls was a dark and twisty emotional thriller. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next and I loved it. I love that edge of your seat feeling! The characters were great and I loved the dual timelines and povs. I was truly SHOCKED with the ending WOW!

Sally Hepworth is an “immediate read” author for me. She did it again! This book is centered around three young women who grew up in an awful foster home that bonds them for life. There are twists and turns and disturbing moments as their stories unfold. Each chapter reveals something more about the girl's backgrounds, as well as their young foster mother. Wildly intriguing, remarkable work!

What a heartbreaking novel! This tells the story of three girls that were in the care of Miss Fairchild, an abusive foster parent, in their early teens. When a body of a child is discovered under the foster home years later, the girls are forced to relive their memories of the years in Miss Fairchild’s care. It was a great psychological mystery, as all of Sally Hepworth’s novels are. I will say, this was really uncomfortable to read. I’m not bothered by much, but I have found that child abuse in novels is tough for me to read. The girls, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are resilient, though, and find their own coping mechanisms and make it into adulthood, building their own lives. I have yet to find a Hepworth novel that I dislike. I’m excited to read the rest of her back catalogue.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy.

Could not put this one down!

Darling Girls tells the story of Jessica, Alicia, and Norah- three “sisters” who deeply bonded as children placed in the same foster home. And what a foster home it was! We also get to meet Miss Fairchild who we know from the beginning is not who she appears to be- but keeps us guessing through the entire book to find out what that means!

The story starts in the present day when human bones are discovered at the site of their former foster home - Meadows Hills- leaving everyone wondering who they belonged to.

The story shifts between the past and the present- which allows us to really get to know the three girls and the women they become.

Sally Hepworth does an amazing job writing both a fascinating plot and characters. Lots of twists and turns- kept me on the edge of my seat. Could not put it down until I reached the very end!

This book was not the easiest read for me. What the girls experienced in their foster care situations and how that impacted their adult relationships was heartbreaking and also fascinating. I typically read happier genres of books as well, so wasn’t used to the underlying sense of creepiness that stayed with me the entire time. But I suspect that is what others enjoy (and I kind of did too!). I had to skip part of my workday to race to the finish line!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the chance to read a digital advanced reader copy. Publishing date is April 23, 2024.

Sally Hepworth is a masterful story teller and has become one of my favorite authors. I’ve still never been able to predict exactly how the story will end! She has a unique ability to really make you understand each of her characters from their perspectives (even when the character is completely nuts!), and Darling Girls was just as fabulous as her other books! I especially loved how Jessica, Norah and Alicia became a family in the midst of their traumatic circumstances.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advance reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book was much darker than I had anticipated — TW: child abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.

Jessica, Norah and Alicia grew up in a foster home together and have been bonded for life. The book unfolds with alternating POVs from both past and present from all three sisters.

Human remains are found under the house of their foster mother and they’re brought in by police to learn more about their time living there.

I definitely was drawn in quite quickly and finished this in one sitting but I found it so disturbing and sad.

The end was very shocking and something I wasn’t expecting! Love Sally Hepworth’s writing and books — if you’re a fan of psychological thrillers this should definitely be on your TBR!!

3.5 rounded up. On any given day it could be rounded up or down though.

It was like. Some parts were love. But because it ended on a like note, I might only be rounded up because I like Hepworth. Whether that’s fair or not… it is what it is.

I really enjoyed the past storyline and the basis for the present day swirl of activity but this isn’t a five star read for me mainly because there was no climax - the past storyline kept adding girls to the story and the present day the girls just stayed steady with their own personal issues but nothing grand, wow popping, or dramatic even happened. Something comes up worth the foster mother near end but when I realized I was nearing the finish line since it was an e-read, I was like what? There’s only 10% left to go? I guess that’s good in that it was a quick read, but it felt lackluster.

Also, part of the problem is that I had a wild crazy suspicion that there was going to be another different kind of twist with one of the girls that I kept looking for but when I realized that really wouldn’t be feasible I was let down by myself. Ha

While I definitely will reach for the next Hepworth book, this one was good, not great.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins for the advanced e-read!

Sally Hepworth strike again!! Oh my goodness this was excellent. Very different from others I’ve read by her, but I truly love the direction this went. The multiPOV/dual timeline worked really well for this. I was racing through this trying to get to the end. I wasn’t expecting so many twists!

Another day, another riveting read! This time, it's Sally Hepworth's captivating novel, "Darling Girls." 📚

Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me dive into this page-turner early! 🙏

Imagine three foster sisters whose childhood wasn't quite the fairy tale portrayed. Now, a body is found under their childhood home, and they're at the center of a murder mystery. 🕵️‍♀️ Are they key witnesses or prime suspects?

Well, I couldn't put it down until I found out! Hepworth's writing is sharp, her characters complex, and her insights into family dynamics thought-provoking. There's sisterhood, secrets, love, and a twisty plot that kept me on the edge of my reading nook. 🌟

If you love a mystery with a touch of intrigue and a splash of suspense, "Darling Girls" is the perfect escape. Highly recommend! #bookstagram #booklover #thriller #familysecrets