I love all of Sally Hepworth's books and this was no exception. I thought I guessed the ending, but I wasn't even close! The story which alternated between different timeframes and from different viewpoints, was fast-paced and interesting. Definitely a great, twisty thriller - but with good character development! 4.5 stars!

This book was such a page turner! I loved all the little twists and reveals throughout the whole book and it wrapped up nicely.

Thanks to the publisher for an e-arc!

Excellent book. It had a few unexpected twists and turns and I found myself engaged in the sisters' stories. I found myself wanting to stay up late to keep reading.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

My rating:
4.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

The story of three sisters who were brought up in a foster home under the care of Miss Fairchild. Years later, bones are found on the property of their childhood home and the sisters are summoned by the police with questions about what happened so many years ago at the farmhouse.

Well that book was a ride! Definitely some triggers in this one so be prepared but I really enjoyed this one! I loved the relationship between the three sisters. Some parts of this were definitely hard to read but I recommend this one for sure!

This was my second book by the author and once again it did not disappoint! There is just something so addictive about her writing style. I loved the multiple POVS and short chapters as well!

I went into this one blindly and had no idea what I was getting myself into! That ending though 🤯

Thank you netgalley and St Martin’s press for the ARC! This one will be out in April of 2024, so add it to your TBR now!

Sally Hepworth delivers another gripping domestic thriller with "Darling Girls," a tale that explores the complexities of female friendship and the haunting secrets of the past. In this suspenseful narrative, Hepworth crafts a multi-layered story that keeps readers on edge until the very end.

The novel introduces us to Alicia, Jessica, and Norah, seemingly ordinary women harboring their own quirks and issues. However, their bond runs deep, connecting them through shared experiences from their childhood. Their lives were once intertwined with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild, whose strict rules and unpredictable behavior have left lasting scars. When bones are discovered beneath the farmhouse where they grew up, the trio is reluctantly drawn back into their past, forced to confront the haunting memories they had tried to bury.

Hepworth's skillful storytelling weaves together the past and present, gradually revealing the dark secrets hidden within the group's shared history. As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to glimpses of the complex dynamics between the three women, and they become engrossed in the mystery of Miss Fairchild and the true nature of their connection.

The characters in "Darling Girls" are well-developed and relatable, each with their own flaws and vulnerabilities. Hepworth delves into their psyches, exploring the depths of their individual traumas and the lasting impact of their shared past. The portrayal of their relationships, both past and present, adds depth to the story and keeps readers invested in the characters' fates.

One of the strengths of the novel is the slow but steady building of suspense. Hepworth masterfully creates an atmosphere of unease, making readers question the reliability of the characters' narratives and the truth behind Miss Fairchild's influence. The tension steadily escalates as the story progresses, leading to a gripping and shocking climax.

While "Darling Girls" is a compelling and engaging thriller, some readers may find the pacing a bit slow in the beginning. However, the gradual unraveling of the plot and the deep exploration of the characters' psyches ultimately add to the story's richness.

In conclusion, Sally Hepworth's "Darling Girls" is a suspenseful and thought-provoking domestic thriller that delves into the intricacies of female friendship and the long-lasting impact of traumatic experiences. With its well-drawn characters and skillful narrative, it keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making it a worthwhile read for fans of psychological suspense.

Wow! I couldn’t put this book down. Read in a day and a half. It was so interesting. Had lots of surprising turns. And you become so invested in the characters and the story, you must keep turning pages to see what’s going to happen next! This also made my heart so tender for the lives of foster children.

This is my fifth book by this author and as much as I enjoyed the others I was kind of disappointed with this one. I am an outlier once again as I did not love this book as much as others have. I am finding it hard to give this a rating to because I was enthralled by the story and the main characters.

I did love the format of now and then chapters and having all three characters’ points of view. As is typical with me I enjoyed the then chapters a lot more than the present time. I felt like I got to know Jessica, Norah and Alicia through their younger years. They have a lot to be upset about but they stuck together no matter what they went through and that carries into their adult lives.

I get that fostering is a game of Russian Roulette, no one knows how a parent or child will meld and I know there are evil people in this world but Jesus are all of them that bad? Too much was over the top in my humble opinion, this could have been close to a four star rating except for that ending. The emotions I felt for the three main characters is the only thing that redeemed this book for me.

Hepworth certainly knows how to write a compelling plot but what lost me was what happened at the very end. I think it was added just for the shock value, I am not triggered by anything that I read I just thought it was really stupid and I didn’t buy into the no one knew it all happened in secret line that the author was trying to sell. Many triggers abound in this tale most notably child abuse as this is one messed-up story.

Thank you for the ARC! I will read anything Sally writes! This book was twisty in the best way and kept me guessing until the very end. I flew through it!

I enjoy Hepworth's new novels each year and this one was no exception. I had a great time leaning into the twists of this novel and really enjoyed my time between the covers of this book.

★ ★ ★ ★ //5
Darling Girls
by Sally Hepworth

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Sally never steers wrong when it comes to her writing and her books. I eat them all up and leave no crumbs and this book was no different. I loved the relationships through this book, the humor, twists and turns. Sally leaves you feeling for every single character in this book from start to finish. You get all the multiple POV and I love it along with different timelines. The ending of this book I guarantee you will never guess. Please check your trigger warnings with this book if you are sensitive to anything.

I am a huge Sally Hepworth fan and this book certainly did not disappoint.
The relationships between Norah, Jessica and Alicia are so strong. A bond that we all strive to have with our siblings. Sadly, they were placed into the care of Miss Fairchild and their lives were forever changed.
Every chapter seemed to have a huge turning point and you really can’t guess how things will turn out for the girls. I highly recommend this book as it is a true eye opener.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Darling Girls.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this novel.

This was one of those psychological thrillers that was really hard to put down. I thorough enjoyed the novel all the way through. However the last couple of chapters really threw some curves I didn't see coming at all.

I think the story of the bonds of sisterhood among foster sisters is a powerful one. I think the dueling time lines along with different POV was an excellent way to craft this story.

I think younger readers could see themselves in any number of ways with the three main characters.

While I thoroughly enjoyed "Darling Girls," I did find some parts of the story to be a bit predictable. Nevertheless, Hepworth's writing style and her ability to delve into the intricacies of human relationships more than make up for it. A solid 4 star read!

"DARLING GIRLS" by Sally Hepworth is a gripping domestic thriller that delves into the complex bonds of friendship and the haunting secrets of the past. The novel follows the lives of three women, Alicia, Jessica, and Norah, who share a deep connection rooted in their traumatic childhood on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild.

The characters in this book are intricately developed, each with their own flaws and vulnerabilities. Jessica's struggle with OCD, Norah's anger issues, and Alicia's low self-esteem are portrayed in a relatable and empathetic manner. Sally Hepworth skillfully explores how these issues have shaped their lives and their relationships with each other.

The narrative structure of the novel alternates between the present-day investigation into buried bones discovered at the childhood farmhouse and the past, where the reader is gradually given insights into the girls' troubled history with Miss Fairchild. This dual timeline adds depth to the story, creating a sense of suspense and mystery that keeps the reader engaged.

The character of Miss Fairchild is a central figure in the novel, and her presence is both menacing and enigmatic. The author masterfully builds a sense of dread and unease surrounding this character, and as the story unfolds, the reader is left questioning the true extent of her power and control.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of the theme of desperation and the lengths to which people can go when pushed to their limits. It raises thought-provoking questions about the human capacity for both good and evil, as well as the enduring impact of trauma.

Sally Hepworth's writing is compelling and evocative, drawing the reader into the lives of the characters and the eerie atmosphere of the farm. The pacing is well-executed, with a gradual build-up of tension leading to a satisfying and surprising conclusion.

In "DARLING GIRLS," Sally Hepworth delivers a psychologically gripping thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. It's a story of friendship, secrets, and the haunting power of the past. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with complex characters and a touch of mystery, this book is worth picking up.

Alicia, Jessica and Norah were foster sisters who grew up with a very dysfunctional foster mom. They are called back to their foster home after a dead body is found on site. They question their past experiences and memories collectively and how its impact them as adults.

Sally Hepworth has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her stories have such twists and storylines that drag me in and keep me invested. I can’t wait for her next book!

Another great Sally Hepworth book - sped through this one, kept my attention the whole way through, with a great ending. If you enjoy Sally Hepworth and domestic thrillers, this is a good one to pick up.

This book is primarily about three adult foster children who return to the town they grew up under troubling circumstances, only to be reconnected with their foster mother. Throughout the book, you are transported between past and present and between the three foster children's perspectives. Ultimately, what happened and who did it? Will water prove thicker than blood?

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the ARC of this great read!

Jessica, Alicia, and Norah are sisters, not through blood but through everything that counts. The three of them grew up in the same foster home together, and formed a lifelong bond. 25 years later when bones are discovered under the home that they grew up in, the police quickly focus on the girls.
Their foster mother, Miss Fairchild, was pure evil to the girls. While her physical abuse of the children was mild, the mental and emotional abuse that she imposed on the girls was gut wrenching to read about.
The story is told in alternating timelines from Jessica, Alicia, and Norah mixed in with someone (a mystery) character at a psychologists office.
Hepworth’s dark wit is present, adding an occasional bit of humor to the book’s theme, the broken and disturbing foster system.
This one kept me intrigued, and the final reveal was a doozy!
Absolutely recommend this one, it releases 04/23/24!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Through alternating chapters that take place in the past and present, Darling Girls delves into how three foster girls grew up together at Wild Meadows Farm and formed a unbreakable bond that was based on their survival.

Unfortunately, I had to stop reading this book around the 20% mark. I have really enjoyed the suspense in Sally Hepworth's writing in the past, but I draw the line about reading books during my leisure time that detail child abuse and the horrible way the three girls were treated by the foster mother, Miss Fairchild. Too dark for me as a reader, but that's not to say that others will not enjoy it - and they are, judging from the many 4 and 5 star ratings. It's just not a subject that I want to spend my time with.

Very entertaining with an extraordinary twist! This novel was so addicting. I loved reading the different perspectives from all the women within the story. Highly recommend whether you love thrillers or not! Already adding more of Sally Hepworth’s books to my TBR pile!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an electronic ARC copy in return for my honest review.