Having been a foster child myself I understand the absolute wretched way it creeps into who you are as an adult.
These three girls all had unique experiences before connecting at a foster home as preetens/teens. Norah grew up in the system. She doesn't really have a lot of positive childhood experiences to think back on, Jessica's mother died when she was a small child and she was basically raised by the foster mother following. She was an only child and was devoted to her foster mother. Norah was only brought in to help make ends meet. Norah sees everything with men as a transaction. She is beautiful and troubled and loves a good fight and I just really related to her. Jessica is a perfectionist. She had been raised to clean the home top to bottom every single day and then at school she coped by organizing.
She also loves pills.
Alicia was raised by her beloved and doting grandmother. she had a normal childhood with friends, parties, and stability. Then when her lively grandmother is injured she ends up in the foster home with the other girls. It ends up being permanent and I cried for her and her grammy.
Because Alicia is used to normal meals, and discipline, she takes a while to realize that the foster home is not going to be kind to her. That hurt!
I love how the girls are so close as adults. I left my whole situation and never talked to any of those people again.
Anyway I love the slow reveal of details that allows us to get ot know the girls better and see why things are the way they are now.

I loved this book.
You’re never quite sure which direction the mystery is going, and right after you think you have it figured out, a new twist comes along. Good detail, likeable characters(and some not so likeable ones..), interesting plot.
Definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sally Hepworth, Erica Martirano, and St. Martin’s Press for offering me the opportunity to read this book! I enjoyed it!

While the saying “Darling Girls” isn’t uttered a lot in the book…. It will haunt you the way it’s used. I will never say to my daughter she is a “darling girl” now.
It’s true I don’t love a multiple POV book unless it’s done extraordinarily well, and this book nails it. The Author makes great descriptions and distinctions about her characters that makes it easy to slip back and forth between them as well as in before and now storylines.
The additional unknown storyline…. Was a favorite! See if you can figure out who really to blame, is it always the Mother figure?

I received a free copy of, Darling Girls, by Sally Hepworth, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Norah, Jessica, and Alicia, are bonded from their childhood they lived on a farm with a foster mom. Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild is not the warm and fuzzy type at all, more like evil and sinister. This book is a little disturbing, but in a good way, wow what a ride. Another remarkable read from Sally Hepworth.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. I've read a few of Sally Hepworth's books and thoroughly enjoyed them so I was pleased to receive the advanced reader's copy of Darling Girls. The story follows Alicia, Jessica and Norah, three women who consider themselves to be sisters, as they grew up together in a horrific foster home with plenty of punishment and a lack of love. Miss Fairchild was the owner of Wild Meadows and she continues to take in foster children for the monthly maintenance payments. She has plenty of secrets of her own from the past. Sally Hepworth always manages to keep her story lines moving along with plenty of twists and turns right up to the very end.

Sally Hepworth has written her way onto my auto-buy list!

This book is full of suspense, twists and "I wonder what this is all about" moments that keeps you turning pages.

Fantastic domestic thriller!!

A must read for 2024!

Darling Girls is a slow burn suspense that follows three “sisters” who grew up in foster care together. When the remains of a body are found underneath their childhood home, they are brought back to the scene of the crime curious as to what can be found.

This was a quick read that kept me glued to the pages. Though, I will admit, the subject matter was darker than usual so definitely look up any TWs beforehand. I loved how we got chapters from each girl’s perspective in the past and present as well as chapters from a mysterious POV recounting her childhood abuse with a psychologist. This set up made for some great twists as the storylines weaved together. Hepworth also did a great job showing how in the present, these girls’ lives were heavily influenced by their childhood trauma and how despite their own issues and mess ups, they would do anything for each other. This depiction made these humanely flawed characters feel realistic and easy to emphasize with. My favorite part was how the story ended!

Read if you like:
-Slow burn suspense
-Character driven stories
-Themes of fostering, childhood trauma, and sisterhood
-Dual and alternating timelines
-Flawed but likable characters

Thank you SMP for the ARC! Pub 4/23

This was a good book. It grabbed my attention right from the start! Miss Fairchild is the foster mother to several girls at her home, Wild Meadows. Three of them, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were able to bond with each other, despite Miss Fairchild’s schemes and objections. She really knows how to mess with the girls’ minds and make it look like she’s purely innocent. I wasn’t expecting the way it ended, but it certainly made sense. I don’t have any experience with foster care and I hope that foster parents like Miss Fairchild are the minority.

This was the second book that I’ve read by Sally Hepworth. I need to add the rest of her books to my TBR list! I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Now, THAT was good. I was so upset each time I had to put it down because one of my kids needed me. Otherwise, it would have been a non stop read for me. There’s soo much creepiness, sadness, character development, and love. True love and distorted love.

Sally Hepworth hits it out of the park again with Darling Girls. Holy crap, did I have all of the feels! Particularly outstanding dialogue...she just nailed it and that's not easy. Brava!

The charactherizations were so good that I felt like I knew everyone personally! Great book!

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

Once again Hepworth manages to suck me into her world. Darling Girls is a gripping domestic thriller that I consumed in one day (not and easy feat with a 6 month old to care for).

The novel follows three sisters as they relive their painful childhood in order to the bottom of a tragic mystery.

While I found some interactions and dialogue to be a bit cringeworthy at times, I still found the characters engaging and the plot stuck with me for days (trigger warning child welfare issues and child abuse)

Hepworth is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me!

Thank you to st. Martin's press and NetGalley for a free digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors, and I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of her latest novel in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! It had all the things I love: drama, intrigue, and mystery. It kept me guessing until almost the last page.

3.5 stars rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia share a bond that takes them back decades. When they were girls, they all lived on a farm with their foster mother, Miss Fairchild. From the outside, Miss Fairchild seemed to be the ideal mother… but inside the house, Miss Fairchild had rules; she could be unpredictable; and she was never to be crossed. Now adults who haven’t fully escaped those years with Miss Fairchild, the three women are called back to the farmhouse when bones are discovered under the property.

I was so excited to receive this ARC because I really loved The Soulmate! At first, I wasn’t sure about this story as it reminded me of another book (that I didn’t enjoy), but I’m glad I stuck it out because it was nothing like the other book. I liked reading about the girls’ past at the farmhouse with Miss Fairchild. It was interesting to see Miss Fairchild become more and more unhinged, and realizing why. The chapters with the therapist were also interesting.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you Sally Hepworth, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review. Darling Girls will be available April 23, 2024!

Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite Thriller authors and one of the things I love about her books is how she brings awareness to things. This book is no different and I think she did a fantastic job highlighting how the foster care system could use reform. There have been instances where children have slipped through the system and gone to homes that have no business caring for children, and that is unfortunate case when it comes to our three main characters in Darling Girls, This book was fast paced and it kept me guessing. Just when you think you have enough information to solve what happened, more is revealed that leaves you guessing again. Darling Girls is told from multiple POV's with a dual timeline. The ending left me reeling, I didn't see it coming. It's hard to say that I enjoyed this book, because of the heinous things the main characters had to live through. However, I will say that Sally Hepworth's writing style will hook you in quickly and have you rooting for Jessica, Norah, and Alicia. Definitely add this book to your "to be read" list!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

352 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: April 23, 2024

Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Foster Care, Adoption, Child Abuse, Mystery, Australia

There are several main characters in the book.

Jessica: home organizer, OCD and drug addiction, abandonment issues
Norah: uses sex for favors and has anger issues
Alicia: social worker with self-esteem issues
Miss Fairchild: caretaker, foster mother

Jessica is the owner of a well-known home organization company but comes under scrutiny when prescription medications begin to go missing. Her mother died when she was four years old, and she was put into the foster care system. Miss Fairchild took her in and raised her.

Norah goes on dates with the hopes of getting something from the guy. This could be anything from handyman services to money for bills and rent. She is under an order that if she commits another act of violence, she will go to jail.

Alicia is a social worker. She takes care of Norah when she gets into trouble. She puts the foster children’s needs above all else. She loves Meera, an attorney, but does not feel she deserves to be loved.

Miss Fairchild takes in children to support her farm. At first, it was just her and Jessica but once Jessica turned ten, Miss Fairchild realized she needed more income. She took in Norah and Alicia when they were about ten and then began taking in respite babies.

The story has a steady pace, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view with first person point of view in the psychiatrist’s office. Sally Hepworth is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with this book. There are twists and quirky characters to go around. I was hooked from the beginning. If you like a good drama with twists, you may enjoy reading this book.

I have just read Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy to read and review.

First I must say that I have read a few books by this author and have enjoyed them all.

Her books are easy to get into, and flow well.

Darling Girls is about three main characters Alicia, Jessica and Nora who all find themselves for one reason or another at a foster home.

The foster mother Miss Fairchild is quite unpredictable, and can change her rules often.

The story is about power, attention and some hidden details.

An overall good book, with twists and turns that keep going on right up to the end of the story

I also would like to thank St Martin’s Press, and Author Sally Hepworth

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#sallyhepworth

"Darling Girls" presents another masterfully crafted psychological mystery within the realm of women's fiction, showcasing Sally Hepworth's unwavering talent for storytelling. The narrative revolves around three kindred spirits who form an unbreakable bond under the roof of the same foster care home, united in their efforts to shield themselves from the clutches of their malevolent foster mother, Holly Fairchild. Holly employs cunning manipulations to subject the girls to a series of psychological games, leaving scars that linger long after they escape her clutches.

At the heart of this tale is Jessica, who entered Miss Fairchild's care at the tender age of five. Desperate for her foster mother's affection, Jessica unknowingly endures isolation due to Holly's controlling ways. Norah, an eleven-year-old with a propensity for violence borne out of necessity, and Alicia, a gentle twelve-year-old who joins them following her grandmother's accident, complete the trio. These girls endure Holly's physical and mental torment for nearly two years until the abuse escalates to a breaking point, forcing them to confront the horrors they have endured.

Fast forward 25 years, and the narrative reveals the aftermath of their shared ordeal. Jessica's once-successful life crumbles as she's caught stealing drugs from a client's home, succumbing to her own struggles with addiction and estrangement from her husband. Norah battles her inner demons, struggling with anger issues and facing the threat of imprisonment. Alicia, now a social worker, strives to find children safe homes while grappling with her own insecurities, hindering her chances at a healthy relationship and a family of her own.

A haunting call from law enforcement informs them that the remains of their haunted childhood are unearthed beneath the farmhouse they long to forget. As they return to the place that shattered their innocence and futures, they confront not only the painful past but also the potential for closure and healing.

Unearth the truth about whose bones lie beneath the earth, and unravel the mysteries that bind these women to their tragic past. Is one of them a cold-blooded killer? Or is an even darker force manipulating their lives?

This heart-wrenching narrative deftly moves between past and present, granting readers insight into the evolution of these three women's characters as they forge their defense mechanisms for survival. The breathtaking revelations that unfold within the gripping mystery will leave you stunned and deeply moved.

Each of the three protagonists resonates powerfully, but it's Norah's unique blend of sarcasm and vulnerability that captures the heart. Alicia's kind and caring nature endeared her to me, as she deserves the happiness she seeks. Jessica's complex layers slowly unravel, allowing empathy to flourish.

The culminating moments had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting the stunning twist that was delivered with precision. Thus, I wholeheartedly grant "Darling Girls" a resounding five-star rating. This intricate, poignant narrative sheds light on women's empowerment and mental health awareness, adding depth to its dark and sorrowful undertones.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for generously providing me with a digital reviewer's copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my candid thoughts.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I always love a Sally Hepworth novel, after reading her last three thrillers I was looking forward to another twisted tale. In this read we follow three woman who met in a foster home many years ago and have claimed themselves as sisters. They experienced so much at the farm that would bond them for life. As adults, when the detectives called them asking them to come into town to answer some questions, they were extremely caught off guard and unsure what they were walking into. While there they learn of bones discovered on the property and want to know what could have happened on the farm. We learn about each woman's past, what led them into foster care and the twisted mind of Mrs. Fairchild. So many twists and turn right up until the end!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this book. Sally Hepworth does it again, and I am not surprised. Three foster girls, a foster mom, and a rolling estate, can it get any better? The story goes back and forth, and this is something I enjoy. The girls all arrive at Miss Fairchild's estate with apprehension and a story. As they form their trio connection, the story begins to unfold, and the characters all have a reason to dislike their foster mother. Wild Meadows has a history and a secret; as the story continues, there is a body uncovered. Who could it be? Who would do this? Who would ever harm a child? Read on and see where this story leaves you gasping for air and wondering how this twist happened!

First off, the reader needs to know there are several triggers in this book. Child abuse, abuse in foster care, female acting out behaviors and drug addiction.
Having named them, I can safely say this book, although a difficult read because of the triggers, was really good.
Told in present and flashback sequences, it details the lives of 3 foster girls and the horrible forster mother they are assigned to. When a discovery occurs in the house they were raised in, the three are brought back to that time of horror and are made to confront the monster who raised them.

Took me a awhile to finish it, but this book is a solid 4 star read. Thanks Netgalley for the sneak peek.