Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

A Haunting and Heartfelt Tale

Darling Girls is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of trauma, friendship, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Sally Hepworth masterfully weaves together a gripping narrative that is both haunting and heartwarming.

The three main characters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, are complex and well-developed. Their bond, forged in the crucible of their shared past, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The author skillfully explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and the ways in which it can shape their lives.

The dual timelines, alternating between the past and the present, create a sense of suspense and mystery. The gradual unveiling of the dark secrets of Wild Meadows keeps the reader engaged.

While the pacing is somewhat deliberate, it allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships. The ending, though bittersweet, is satisfying and leaves a lasting impression.

The audiobook narration for Darling Girls is exceptional. The narrator skillfully brings the three distinct voices of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia to life, enhancing the listening experience and making the characters even more relatable.

Darling Girls is a powerful and poignant novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

4 stars

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The Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is a compelling family drama that blends suspense with emotional depth. Set in a charming, somewhat idyllic Australian town, the novel centers around three women—Charlotte, a successful but distant mother; her two daughters, who each carry their own secrets and personal struggles; and the legacy of their late matriarch, who seems to have kept many things hidden from the family. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

‘Darling Girls’ is another gripping read by Sally Hepworth. The narrator Jessica Clarke did a great job of keeping the story suspenseful.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a complimentary audio eArc for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the story and getting to know the three sisters individually. I thought the mystery was ok, and I wanted to find out how it would all end but it didn't think that the ending was that exciting. I think the journey and how we got there was the best part of the book, and how everything unfolded worked well. I think this was one of my favourites from this author, and the narrator did a great job of bringing life to the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio books and the author for the ARC of this book.

This book was such an interesting premise of past/present of growing up in the care of Miss Fairchild, after each girl suffered a family tragedy. Of course, Miss Fairchild is not the loving foster carer that she initially presents to be, but now their childhood has come back to haunt the girls who escaped.

I loved the dual timelines of reading about what happened in the past as it corresponds to what is happening currently. Slowly, but surely the puzzle pieces are revealed to the reader to put together across time.

The three girls we follow all have varying trauma responses in their current life that bring them back together as a group to get closure on their upbringing.

Some points of the book are incredibly distressing, while Hepworth also added some super punny, laugh out loud moments as well; making this book a very enjoyable read. It was also very easy to invest in the three girls, however different they were (especially Norah for me with her sarcasm). The characterization was well thought out and developed.

I didn't have a particular opinion on the narrator of this book. I didn't love or dislike her.

The only reason that I knocked off a star for this book was the very last bit of the ending. I can’t say why without revealing too much, but I just didn’t like the thread left untied.

For my level ratings:
Level of excitement: 5
Ease of reading: 5
Overall rating: 4

This one has wildly dramatic. I couldn't get enough. This book was really dark also more so than this author’s other books. I loved the back and forth with the different POV's from the sisters.
Please be aware of all the triggers in this one, because I wasn't aware of any of them. Also keep in mind this isn't necessarily a thriller, so don't have that mindset going in.

I am not always a fan of slow burn mysteries, but Sally Hepworth is pretty good at balancing that with compelling characters.

Jessica, Norah and Alecia all end up as foster children together with a foster mom that is less than ideal. She looks the part on the outside but is abusive to the girls. These three, a mystery person, and a psychologist tell the story in the present, where a body has been found at their home, and the past, where the girls met.

I liked that each of the three girls have such distinct personalities. It made the unraveling of their lives and secrets much more fascinating. Not all are likable but they had something about them that I wanted to know more. They are strong and battling their past.

Jessica Clarke did a good job of balancing the seriousness of the plot with the compelling characters. She expertly brought all the voices to life.

Sally Hepworth does it again! This was another well written book! It kept me drawn in and guessing until the end.

One of my favorite mystery tropes pervades this novel—a before and after timeline with additional pieces of the puzzle being slowly revealed. I love being surprised by an author who switches things up. In Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth still delivers her trademark domestic suspense/mystery, but this time the “family” is far less traditional, yet no less fascinating!

I really enjoyed this domestic thriller and the three "sisters". Their backstory and how they overcame was well plotted out. Twisty and fast paced!

Slow start and no easy for me to get into but I like the end and the writing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the audio ARC which I receiced in exchange for my honest review.

I got a ARC from Netgalley... I was so excited to get my hands on this one. ....unfortunately this took me way to long to finish.. ..im talking months...but better late than never. Three foster girls develop a bond over shared trauma and unite at their foster home . They all have a interesting story that led them to Miss Fairchild's home...She is not all that she seems..... This story does reflect dual time lines of the their shared stories..... It also has some mystery and keeps the reader guessing.

3.5 stars

Love Sally Hepworth and this is another hit! The storyline was great and kept me guessing. The narration was fantastic. Mrs Hepworth always delivers!

I couldn’t get through this. Didn’t hold my interest. The narrator wasn’t very entertaining and the story felt a bit bland.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It has some serious and triggering subject matter. Please do not read this is you have child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse triggers.

The subject matter is tough, but it was also so powerful to me. I gained so much insight on just how screwed up the foster care system can really be. I’m sure there are plenty of “Mrs. Fairchild’s” out there in this messed up world today. She promised love, acceptance, and stability for these girls. What she gave them was nothing shy from hell.

The characters made this novel. They each had their individual stories and personalities. I could clearly tell a difference between each of them. The pace was perfect enough to have me keep turning the pages.

I would a hundred percent recommend this one if you are in the mood for a dark, twisty suspense! Sally Hepworth didn’t bad an eyelash once again when she put this one out! If you like Sally, give this one a try!

4.5 stars

When a body is found under the home they grew up in, foster sisters Jessica, Norah and Alicia must travel back to Wild Meadows in Port Agatha to be interviewed by the police as key witnesses.

But seeing their foster mother Miss Fairchild triggers memories of abuse and instability. Will seeing her again stir up memories and secrets they hoped would remain buried? Are they witnesses or key suspects?

I always get excited to read a new Sally Hepworth novel! She has a way of introducing interesting characters into a compelling domestic situation with enough surprise twists that never seem contrived or forced and always leave you wanting to turn the pages.

Darling Girls lived up to my expectations! In fact, it’s one of my favorite Hepworth novels.

I equally enjoyed each of the sisters perspectives. They all had past trauma they were dealing with, but the trauma was seamlessly woven into the plot in a way that enhanced the current story and never felt like it slowed down the narrative. We not only get POVS from each of the three sisters, but we also get their POVs from the past as well. Hepworth did a skillful job of integrating the past and present in a complimentary way that made the pacing smooth and engaging.

To amp up the mystery, there are also chapters scattered amongst the sister’s narratives of from an unknown person speaking to a psychiatrist telling the story of their past. Is this one of the sisters? Or is this someone else?

I half physically read, half listened to the audio for Darling Girls. The audiobook narrator helped bring the different sister’s voices to life. For Norah, she perfectly captured her brashness, for Jessica her soft-spoken, people-pleasing tone, and for Alicia her firmness in taking charge. I’d highly recommend the audio!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio & St. Martin’s Press for the digital and audio arc. All opinions are my own.

As someone who mostly reads romance, Darling Girls was a surprising and thrilling break from my usual picks! The story follows three foster sisters who return to their childhood home after a chilling discovery, digging up old secrets and dark memories.

Hepworth kept me hooked with her twists and turns, and the bond between the sisters was unexpectedly touching. This isn’t my usual romantasy, but the suspense and emotional depth made it a worthwhile read. If you’re looking to dip your toes into something darker, this one’s a great choice!

Rating: 4/5 Finished in less than 24 hours!

Sally Hepworth's Darling Girls is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the emotional and psychological scars left by childhood trauma, set against a backdrop of mystery and suspense. Finished in one day!

The story follows three women—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who share a dark past from their time in a foster home run by Miss Fairchild. Years after they've escaped her clutches, their lives seem to have settled, yet when human remains are found buried at their former foster home, they are forced to confront the past they thought they'd left behind.

Hepworth expertly weaves alternating narratives, diving into the past and present, exposing the layers of trauma that have shaped the women's lives. The novel touches on themes of betrayal, trust, and the lasting impact of abusive relationships.

The pacing of the book is excellent, with a steady buildup of tension that keeps readers hooked from the start. The plot twists, especially as the mystery of the remains unfolds, are well-placed and keep the suspense high without feeling contrived.

Overall, Darling Girls is a masterful psychological thriller that will keep readers engrossed. Hepworth’s ability to create deeply emotional, flawed characters while maintaining an air of suspense makes this a must-read for fans of thrillers. It’s a haunting reminder that the past is never truly behind us—and sometimes, it comes back in ways we least expect.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, & Sally Hepworth for the complimentary audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Another well-written book of suspense by Sally Hepworth. The relationships between the heroines and their relationship with their foster mother, gripping. Great storytelling throughout. I enjoyed the mystery unraveling. Highly recommend. I listened to the audio and it was well done.

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Foster sisters Jessica, Norah, and Alicia share the trauma of a life in a horrific foster home with the abusive Miss Fairchild. As adults, the girls think they have left their childhood behind, until they find out that bones have been found under their old foster home. As the reader, we see the story unfold through both flashbacks and present day discussions. Sometimes, we’re unsure if the girls know who the bones belong to.How much do they know? How much do we know? It makes for a fascinating unfolding of a shocking childhood.

What I love about Sally Hepworth is that her books aren’t only one genre. She never falls into the common trap of a thriller, neglecting to develop good characters or complex relationships. This makes the reader really and truly care what happens to them. My sister and I raged at Mrs. Fairchild, cried over the sisters and their bond, and rooted for them to triumph over all. The ending left a little to be desired, so we decided this was a 4 star read rather than 5. Sally Hepworth is a favorite for me, as always. I just might have suggested she rework the epilogue. But otherwise, this is a great book sure to please her fans!