What a wild ride this was! I've read a few of Sally Hepworth's books now and it never ceases to amaze me how each story is unique and flies right off the pages. This one is no different. I highly recommend this title is you are looking for mystery, murder, and multiple view points.

Wow. What do I say?! This is my first Sally Hepworth book and I now I will stop doing anything productive in order to read all her other books!

3 girls each with their own story of trauma and neglect, but saved and lucky they were told to be with Miss Fairchild. And from the outside looking in - they were lucky. But living there -Jessica, Norah and Alicia - had a different opinion. Miss Fairchild wasn’t the saint everyone thought and her rules were different than anyone would assume. So they ran and never looked back until one day they became murder suspects.

I’m willing to say that in the beginning I didn’t feel like I was going to like this book but as we got more involved and more information my opinions changed drastically! I love a before and after timeline and this was masterfully done with the tiny bits we kept discovering along the way. My favorite chapters were from our “mystery” character in their sessions. I don’t want to give anything away but go read this book and go along for the ride!

Hepworth is one of my go=to authors, and this one didn't disappoint. Along with a solid mystery, the dynamics between the sisters quickly pulls readers in with their ability to come together and navigate the trauma they faced and work their way toward healing. I also love how the story is a reminder that family doesn't have to only mean blood relatives. Unexpected twists keep the reader guessing and engaged. The abuse angle (from the past) could be triggering to some readers, but there is a nice balance with the present day storyline. For instance, I really liked the bedtime jokes! They were ones I'd never heard before, and they made me chuckle. The twist at the end was unexpected, which I loved. I can't wait to read what Hepworth writes next!

This story is told in third person with multiple narrators in a dual timeline format. It follows three foster sisters and an anonymous woman in therapy in an additional ambiguous timeline. The three foster sisters come together in the present timeline when a body is discovered during an excavation at the site of their former foster home known as Wild Meadows. The story alternates between the present as the sisters travel to be questioned about this discovery and “before” revealing their history with the foster home and how each individual ended up there. The audiobook was narrated by Jessica Clarke who did a fantastic job distinguishing all of the various personalities of the sisters and other characters.

All three foster sisters have very different backgrounds and histories with their foster mother, Mrs. Fairchild. I really enjoyed their present storyline which reflected the bonds that the three women have held onto from their childhood experiences. However, the “before” storylines were filled with physical and emotional abuses that I didn’t enjoy reading. The focus on the story was more on the emotional bonds of these sisters and how they were built and less about the mystery of the body.

I think a lot of readers will enjoy this story more than I did. I’m more of a mystery reader and was more interested in the investigation than the foster story. I found the foster mother to be irrationally cruel. Some of the girls’ reactions to her abuses did not resonate with me. I was also annoyed with the ambiguous therapy storyline. There were a couple of twists that I did enjoy but overall, the themes here were just not for me.

Recommended for the sisterly bonds and overcoming of childhood abuse and trauma.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for a copy provided for an honest review.

This was my first Sally Hepworth read, and I will DEFINITELY be looking into the rest of her back catalogue after this. "Darling Girls" is a propulsive slow-burn (trust me, it makes sense), with expertly-drawn characters, a plot that twists and turns along hairpin curves like a professional driver, and plenty of misdirection and untrustworthy narration. I will admit, I figured parts of it out early on, but not because Hepworth telegraphed it; I just read a lot in this genre, and watch a lot of Dateline. It was just...I could not put this book down, and I'm itching to finish a bunch of the things waiting in my TBR pile so that I can check out another one of her books. What a ride.

I usually love Sally Hepworth's novels and while this one was good, it wasn't on the same level as her other books. The story was a bit far-fetched and kept giving me "Flowers in the Attic" vibes. While it was easy to read and interesting enough to keep my attention, the plot was just too reminiscent of other books that I guess maybe I'm tired of. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Sally Hepworth has done it, again! Hepworth is an auto-buy author for me and her latest domestic suspense did not disappoint.

I really enjoyed The Good Sister (4⭐), The Soulmate (4⭐), and I liked The Younger Wife well enough (3⭐), but this was hands down my favorite Sally Hepworth novel.

There were so many things I did not see coming! Hepworth did a masterful job with the multiple narrators/timelines, and the character development was on point. This was a super quick read that had me 🤯🤯🤯 at the end. Genius.

The only reason this was not a 5⭐ read for me is that I'm not a fan of mixing romance and thriller/suspense, but I still loved this book and there's no doubt it will end up being one of my favorite reads of 2024.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, for the ARC.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Sally Hepworth’s Darling Girls is a propulsive thriller that’s hard to put down. Tightly written and well plotted, the twists in the book are truly surprising and maintain the reader’s interest throughout.

The novel is based on the horrific childhoods of three foster children — Jessica, Norah, and Alicia — who were placed in foster care at the idyllically names Wild Meadows under the care of the superficially sweet Holly Fairchild. In reality, Holly Fairchild is a monster who specializes in abusing children who show an interest in anyone but her.

In such a traumatic environment, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia form a bond as sisters which lasts through adulthood. The book opens as the women are summoned back to Wild Meadows after a body is found under their childhood home. The story proceeds in a series of alternating chapters and time frames for each sister, interspersed with Holly Fairchild’s therapy notes.

Hepworth does an excellent job depicting the relationship between the sisters, as well as showing the horrors of the foster care system where traumatized children are removed from their homes only to be further abused in foster care. Needless to say, the damage caused by these experiences can be lifelong. 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up). Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy of this book.

I loved this book! The subject matter was rough and my heartstrings were tugged at throughout the book but I couldn’t put it down.
I thought I knew where the book was going and then something would be revealed and I’d suddenly be questioning everything again. I did not guess the ending and that’s always my favorite.
I’m definitely going to be checking out Sally Hepworth’s other books because if they’re anything like this one, I’ll have a new auto-buy author!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of this eARC.

Stunningly Well Written


I'm overjoyed to have dedicated uninterrupted time to dive into "Darling Girls" by Sally Hepworth, a literary treat that reaffirms her status as a must-read author in my book. It effortlessly earns a spot on my list of favorite reads for 2024, leaving me eagerly anticipating Hepworth's next offering. Now, let's delve into what makes this novel so captivating.

From start to finish, "Darling Girls" held me in its grip, but it was the final chapter that truly blew me away, elevating what would have been a four-star read to a resounding five stars. Hepworth masterfully concludes the narrative, delivering a conclusion that leaves an indelible mark. Bravo, Ms. Hepworth, for a stellar closing act.

The heart of "Darling Girls" lies in the lives of three foster "sisters" who reunite after 25 years following the discovery of human bones at the site of their former foster home, Wild Meadows. Jessica, Alicia, and Norah, bound by their shared past and haunted by memories of their abusive foster mother, Miss Fairchild, confront long-buried truths as they assist the detectives in unraveling the mystery.

Hepworth skillfully navigates the complexities of trauma and its enduring impact, offering a poignant portrayal of the lifelong scars inflicted by narcissistic abuse. Miss Fairchild emerges as a chillingly manipulative figure, her influence casting a shadow over the lives of those she once controlled.

With its abundance of twists and turns, "Darling Girls" kept me on the edge of my seat, compelling me to read late into the night. The payoff at the end was more than worth it, delivering a conclusion that resonates long after the final page is turned.

In conclusion, "Darling Girls" is a riveting read that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the bonds of sisterhood and the lasting repercussions of childhood trauma. I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in this gripping tale.

When Jessica was orphaned at the age of four she was sent to Wild Meadows, where Miss Fairchild opened her home and embraced her as the daughter she always wanted. The two were very close, with Fairchild insisting that she be called mummy. A few years later she took in Norah and Jessica was no longer the favored child. Fairchild became demanding and exhibited drastic mood swings. Alicia eventually joined the family and the three girls bonded to survive the severe punishments and harsh living conditions in the home. When Fairchild decides to adopt Amy, an infant, the girls fear for her life and finally approach the authorities. When the police investigate, there is no sign of an infant and Fairchild denies her existence. Years later the girls are grown with careers of their own but they have remained close. Jessica runs her own business, but is dealing with prescription abuse, occasionally stealing pills from clients. Norah has anger issues and is on probation for her past actions and Alicia is a social worker, devoted to helping children. They vowed to never return to Wild Meadows, but they are contacted by the police when an infant’s skeleton is found buried on the property.

Sally Hepworth Alternates the women’s stories with sessions between Dr. Warren and his patient. It becomes evident that his patient is Miss Fairchild. She describes growing up with a step-father who subjected her to punishments that were similar to those imposed on her foster children. With a shortage of social workers and Miss Fairchild’s friendship with the case worker, the system failed the girls in the past. Now they must face Miss Fairchild once again as the police investigate the child’s death. Jessica still feels a pull from the woman that she bonded with as a child, but with the support of her sisters she must finally find the courage to break that connection. Just when all of the questions seem to be answered, Hepworth ends with a twist that will leave you stunned, making this a book that I highly recommend. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are three foster children who are forced to relive their traumatic childhood in their foster mother's home when the bones of a child were found buried under their old house. All three of them are not looking forward to returning to that small town, and none of them were prepared to see Miss Fairchild ever again. I enjoyed reading this novel from multiple viewpoints. The women all had different fears and memories, and it was nice to have a glimpse inside each of their heads. I liked Hepworth's writing style and found the characters relatable. I was not expecting now the book ended at all but enjoyed it!

👩🏼 Dark & twisted thriller
🏊🏼‍♀️ Foster care sisters
👩🏼 Found Family
🏊🏼‍♀️ Past & Present timelines
👩🏼 Slow burn suspense
🏊🏼‍♀️ Murder mystery
👩🏼 Character driven
🏊🏼‍♀️ Twisty ending
👩🏼 Multiple pov
⚠️ Check triggers ⚠️

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia... Three sisters all raised together in the same foster home, Wild Meadows. All three went through some level of abuse through their childhood and foster care. They are all called back *home* 25 years later, after bones were found under Wild Meadows.

My favorite part about this was how we got FOUR povs. 3 sisters and an unknown. Norah is probably my favorite sister, she's a bit unhinged and I loved it.
I did guess one of the twists but the ending was still wild and enjoyable.

Definitely recommend adding this to your thriller tbr.

Thank you to Sally, Netgalley and stmartin press for this arc.

Oh my... this book was gripping from the very beginning and never let me down!. It's an edge of your seat, chew off your fingernails kind of read. This novel has it all with sisters, secrets, suspense, love and murder. It's brilliant, disturbing and heartbreaking and an incredible read, one I won't forget any time soon. I highly recommend this absolutely outstanding book!

WOW! Sally Hepworth does it again! This was a wild ride and Miss Fairchild is a serious piece of work, a liar, and a terrible person! This was a great read and I was hooked from the beginning! I can't wait to read her next book!

This one started out slow. The pace picked up around halfway through. This wasn’t quite edge of your seat reading, but it was intriguing. There were a lot of puzzle pieces to put together. I did figure out quite a bit of the story, but there were still a few surprises. The end was not a complete surprise, but I was still slightly shocked.

Mystery, murder, and drama will keep readers turning the pages of Sally Hepworth’s suspenseful new book, Darling Girls.

After individual tragedies occur when they are children, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are sent to live with a ruthless foster care mother named Miss Fairchild. Due to poor treatment and fear, the “sisters” flee their foster care home. Years later a body is found under the foster care home and the police contact the sisters to question them.

What’s to love:
💕 Dual timelines
💕 Multiple POVs
💕 Found family
💕 Secrets about to be revealed and what people are willing to do to prevent it

Thank you to @netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I’ve read Sally Hepworth’s books before and I just don’t think her writing is for me. I know lots of other people adore her books, but I find them hard to get into to.

The same goes with this book. The concept of the book intrigued me and I was so excited to dive in, but it fell flat for me. Kinda slow at some parts and overall not as interesting as I thought. It’s a 2.5 star rounded up to 3 for me.

I have read almost all of Sally Hepworth's books now and I loved Darling Girls!! This book had me guessing until the end with twists I never saw coming.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are sisters by circumstance. They were all rescued from the dire circumstances of their biological families and raised by their foster mother, Miss Fairchild. But the upbringing they experienced was unlike what everyone thought it was. They are now traveling back to the home where they were raised because a body has been discovered.

I’m not crying. You’re crying. This was a typical Sally Hepworth, complete with complex characters and a dynamic plot with lots of emotion.

A body is found under an old foster home, which brings three sisters back to face their traumatic childhood. Each sister is going through her own struggles, Which added some drama to the story.

The big reveal of who was in the therapists office wasn’t entirely a surprise, but the culmination of it in chapter 55 was 🤌🏻chef’s kiss🤌🏻

Between that layer and the dual timeline, this was a delightful book that I couldn’t read fast enough!! 4.5 stars!