This is my first novel by Sally Hepworth and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Darling Girls is the captivating story of Jessica, Norah and Alicia who met as foster children in the home and care of Miss Fairchild, twenty-five years ago. Each of the girls has a sad story and by being together they bond forever.
Now they must return, at the request of the Police, as human bones have been found buried at Miss Fairchild's home.
With many twists and turns and a surprise ending Darling Girls is a haunting and unnerving mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Three little girls find themselves in foster care in a picturesque farm home. They have been told they were lucky. Lucky to have a home, lucky to have Miss Fairchild as their foster mother. But, they are not lucky. There are so many things that are going on behind the scenes that create trauma that bonds the girls into sister closer than biology.

The book swings between the points of view of Jessica, Norah and Alisha, as well as the timeline of Then and Now. We also have an unknown narrator telling their story of loss and trauma.

The narrator, Jessica Clarke is absolutely incredible. The intones and emotion in her voice keeps you riveted to the story and know which sister you are listening to with subtly differences in cadence and tone.

An incredible thriller for fans of Sally Hepworth that will keep you digging for clues.

Three girls who met in foster care and became like sisters must confront the foster mother who abused them when a body is found under the house where they lived with her. Twists and turns, love and hate, the past and the future, the lies and the truth. All of this comes together in this fast-paced. read. I loved the narrator.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

* Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for providing the ebook and the audiobook in exchange of a honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the best book I have read this year. I am a huge thriller lover and this one hit all the right spots. The sisters dynamics was amazing, I didn't had a clue what was going on and the end made me gasp because I really didn't see that coming. Amazing 🙌

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I hate Russian dolls. They seem nice at first but when you get to know them, they’re really full of themselves. Although she may look like Barbie on the outside, Miss Fairchild is the quintessential Russian doll and Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are the Darling Girls whose devotion she craves to fill her inner void. But how could a foster child, who already carried his or her own trauma, ever have room in their little hearts to love Miss Fairchild the way she needed to be loved?

Miss Fairchild: I care about you girls. I’ve thought about you a lot over the years. I’ve worried about you. You had such a rough start to live. You probably won’t believe this, but I really did try to help you.

Jessica, Norah, Alicia: We know you tried: You tried isolating us, humiliating us, terrifying us.

She barely feeds them, she’s obsessed with cleanliness and makes them clean for hours every day. She drinks, roams the halls at night, and sometimes comes into their rooms and wakes them up. The cocktails of emotions the girls experienced when they hear mention of Miss Fairchild is overwhelming: Hot, spiky jealousy, followed by all-consuming guilt. Burning shame. Black resentment. Ice-cold melancholy. They had failed to live up to Miss Fairchild’s expectations, failed to be her everything.

When Miss Fairchild adopts a toddler who falls in love with the foster sisters, Miss Fairchild asks the child, How will you survive without your darling girls? Unfortunately, the baby disappears. Years later, bones are discovered beneath the foster home. Could they be baby Amy’s?

When Alicia, Norah, Jessica unite to testify, it’s like a sick, tragic book club whose meeting place–Wild Meadows–was too small to contain them as well as the intensity of their feelings–not to mention the questions that remained: whose is the body under the house? The three of them would do just about anything to protect each other. A lovely trait among sisters–but also a pretty powerful motivation to lie.

Dysfunctional sisters, criminal charges, a run-in with a monster of a former foster mother. Sally Hepworth’s Darling Girls is an absorbing aperitif of gratitude mixed with a little horror.

Another winner from an author I gravitate toward! Great characters are always a staple, and the three foster sisters in this one were very well drawn, and had me rooting for them to succeed in life after their auspicious beginning. The mystery aspect was interesting, and added another dimension to the story. Love the pacing, plot, and characters! Will continue to seek out everything this author pens!Another winner from an author I gravitate toward! Great characters are always a staple, and the three foster sisters in this one were very well drawn, and had me rooting for them to succeed in life after their auspicious beginning. The mystery aspect was interesting, and added another dimension to the story. Love the pacing, plot, and characters! Will continue to seek out everything this author pens!

I listened to the audio for this book, and the narrator had great cadence and a pleasant speaking voice. Would recommend this on audio, and would listen to this author again.

Alicia, Jessica and Norah grew up in the toxic environment of Wild Meadows as foster kids under the care of Miss Fairchild. Bonded through their shared trauma, they formed a sisterhood and did whatever they could to protect each other.

But so many years later, a body has been found underneath Wild Meadows and three women are forced to relive their past and confront Miss Fairchild and the system that let them down. All as they fight to prove they are innocent of murder…

Beware reading this book as there are difficult themes of abuse and neglect and the consequences of childhood trauma. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this novel. The mystery surrounding the identity of the body and the slow reveal of what happened in the past was done well as Hepworth is great at throwing the twists just as you think you have figured it out. I was fortunate enough to receive this in both digital and audio form and enjoyed both versions as I went back and forth between both formats.

Thank you to @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @stmartinspress for the gifted digital review copy and gifted audiobook.

"𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬."

Sally Hepworth is a must-read author for me; she does domestic dramas with a touch of mystery so well, and this one does not disappoint.

I listened to and read this one; both ways captured my attention and had me speeding through. No matter how Hepworth’s prose is delivered, it is always compelling. Narrator Jessica Clarke had a great inflection when she read which was easy to follow; her Australian accent helped me dive into the Australian setting easily too. Hepworth weaves a few different narratives: the past of foster sisters Jessica, Norah and Alicia at Winding Meadows, the present day sisters point of view after the discovery of bones at Winding Meadows, and the therapy sessions of an unknown first person narrator. I found all three sisters to be sympathetic and I was cheering for all of them as they confronted their defence mechanisms for survival. Miss Fairchild, the sisters’ foster mother, was a total narcissist and I anxiously awaited her downfall (making for a perfect antagonist). Although a darker tale for Hepburn, with its focus on the ways the foster system can fail the children in its care and the abuse that can be suffered, it is powerful and poignant. There are some very well placed reveals that had me gasping, alongside an ending that is both smile-worthy and gasp-worthy.

Darling Girls is a story of survival, empowerment, gaslighting, safety, sisterhood, and the search for love. It is bingeworthy and I think might be my favourite Hepworth novel yet. Thank you to St. Martins’ Press, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARCs!

Unfortunate circumstances bring three young girls together under the care of Holly Fairchild, a foster mother who appears to be ideal. Unfortunately she is not what she seems as the girls bond together in order to escape Miss Fairchild’s wrath. They remain close even in adulthood, considering themselves sisters. They find themselves returning to their childhood home after the police discover a body on the property. Old memories and feelings surface forcing the women to confront their past as well as the woman that made their lives a living hell.

This was an entertaining story told from multiple perspectives that slowly unravels a dark secret. Hepworth is known for her tense domestic dramas. This one was a little different from her other books but just as riveting. I really enjoyed the way the story was told alternating perspectives and time lines. This can be a challenge sometimes for writers but she does a splendid job balancing these.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

So enjoyed this read! This is a category I lovingly call “beach read thriller”—which basically means a thriller that’s a perfect book for your girls trip. Not concert it’ll haunt your dreams, but engrossing enough to be the perfect read at the beach (or pool)! I recommend!

I devoured this novel! Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are torn from reality and brought back to their tumultuous childhood when human remains are found on the grounds of Wild Meadows. The three foster sisters travel back to provide insight for investigators, all while trying not to get sucked back into the trauma of their upbringings. Bouncing between past and present, and the perspective of all three girls, the story of the past is gradually brought to light and the events of the past catch up to them. But who is sharing the truth? And are they hiding secrets that could come back to bite them?

I just could not put this book down. I was sucked in right from the beginning and I truly had no idea what was going to happen. I love a good mystery that keeps me guessing, and this time, Sally Hepworth executed a great mystery. Highly recommend.

I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook. I thought the narration was great, and the listening experience was wonderful!

Interesting plot in the latest book by Sally Hepworth. As young children, Jessica, Norah and Alicia were each in foster care. One by one they are fostered by Miss Fairchild, who brings them home to her farming estate. Jessica spends quite some time with Miss Fairchild and finds her to be a very loving mother, but once Norah arrives, things start to change. Miss Fairchild becomes very strict and often unpredictable. The girls are frightened of breaking her rules, but are often unsure of what the rules are or how they apply. Once Alicia joins them, this only gets worse.

As the girls grow older, they vow to get away from Miss Fairchild as soon as they can. They finally manage their escape, and hope never to see her again.

Told as a story in two timelines, we move between hearing from the girls as young children and then teenagers, interspersed with finding out about them as adults. When a body is found under the home they grew up in, the girls are forced to face up to some of the things that they saw, heard and did when they lived with Miss Fairfield. They are questioned by police, in the hope of finding out who the body is. But are the girls themselves suspects?

I found the writing very good in this novel - with very believable characters. The girls are portrayed as desperate at times and scared at others, and I felt very sorry for their situation. Miss Fairfield was a very manipulative character, and she psychologically scars the girls by some of the things that she does. I kept trying to understand her sudden changes of mood and behavior and trying to determine why she behaved the way she does. All is eventually revealed. I had several theories as to who the body belonged to, and what happened to them, but I didn’t realize the plot twists until the very end as the story unfolded. I enjoyed not being able to guess what is going on!

The narrator did an excellent job keeping the 'voices' all different, especially for the young girls. There was no confusion as to who was speaking, or which timeline was involved.

With a lot of dark emotions this was a very compelling read.

After reading several previous releases by this author, I was very excited for Darling Girls. Audiobook is my preferred format, but was able to have it on audio and print. Many readers will enjoy this one with sisters that are foster children. However this is about the extent of my enjoyment, as the story didn’t seem to keep me drawn in nor did I feel like the cover match with what I was hearing. I will say the last chapter might make people reconsider their opinion, so I am glad I finished. Sadly, this wasn’t a favorite by the author.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC.

This is a story about 3 girls who were placed in the same foster home (Ms. Fairchild) and became sisters. On the outside it appears that Ms. Fairchild is a wonderful foster mother. However, behind closed doors she is abusive. She is strategic in her abuse so that nothing is quite reportable. Once the women are adults human bones are found under the home they once lived. An investigation ensues and secrets unfold.

This story is told from the perspective of 4 different people and bounces back and forth between past and present. I loved the format of the book. The story didn’t quite capture my interest and attention like other books of the same genre.

Hmmm, Sally Hepworth's books are always a hit or miss for me, however I will always give her books a try. Darling Girls was a miss unfortunately. I found the storyline difficult to follow and the narrator just wasn't for me personally. Excited to read more from Sally in the future!

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia have had a fortunate life. Brought in as young children and raised by Miss Fairchild, the three foster children from separate families form the impenetrable bond of sisterhood. But their childhood was anything but idyllic. Miss Fairchild's love turns to abuse when she doesn't have the adoration of the girls. When the three break away from her, they thought they left their horrible past behind. That is until a body is found on the farm grounds where they grew up.

Holy moly, this story is captivating! I honestly could not put it down and read it in like two days. I only wish I had read it sooner. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are great characters and the mystery will definitely leave you guessing until the end! This story is full of twists and turns. Like I said, I couldn't put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Jessica Clarke was a fantastic narrator, and I definitely recommend this book.

This book is such a wild ride! Nothing like I was expecting and just so enthralling! I was invested from page one and it didn't let up until the end!!

This story covers three foster girls who end up at Wild Meadows Farm. Each girl learns self-survival and then slowly reaches out to form a bond with each other.

Years later, a crime is discovered that will pull them all together again.

This is my fourth book by this author, and out of the four, one stood out: The Good Sister.

While this book kept me curious and listening, some of that was due to a good narrator. I love listening while I work around the house, and even if a book moves slowly, it doesn't concern me as much.

The chapters did include the points of view of each girl, which was nice. But some parts of their stories were interesting, and some, unfortunately, weren’t surprising since I’ve grown to expect certain treatment at these institutions.

As I rounded to the finish line, I was still curious but felt a little 𝓱𝓸-𝓱𝓾𝓶, 𝓸𝓱, 𝓸𝓴𝓪𝔂, 𝓘’𝓶 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽’𝓼 𝓶𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓾𝓹 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘 𝔀𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓭𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓽. Then I put my Kindle down.

Not a remarkable story, but okay.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a chance to listen to this book before publication.

This mystery novel is about three foster sisters brought together again following a grisly discovery at the site of the home where they endured the wrath of a cruel foster mother. It's full of shocking twists as decades of secrets are uncovered.

I knew that given the premise of the book, there would be some content that would be hard to stomach. But it's the mistreatment of extremely young kids that was too much for me 😭 Amazing story, though, and it was full of surprises until the very end. Great audiobook narration.

Darling Girls follows the lives of three “sisters”—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—brought together in a picturesque foster home belonging to Miss Fairchild. Initially, the tranquil surroundings offer a glimmer of hope for a better future, but it soon becomes apparent that their new home is anything but serene. As secrets unravel and tensions escalate, the girls know they must escape, but how?

As adults, these three women still consider themselves sisters. They are always available to support each other in everything, especially their messed-up lives that are impacted by their past. When a body is found on Wild Meadows, Miss Fairchild’s property, the women are forced to return to Port Agatha, a trip they all dread. Now, they must confront their past traumas and navigate the treacherous dynamics of their foster family.

Hepworth masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. The reader relives the trauma as memories are recounted. The characters are richly drawn, each grappling with their demons and insecurities, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. The author’s vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, immersing readers in the eerie atmosphere of the foster home and the lasting effects that are still in play in these women’s lives in the present.

One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the enduring impact of childhood trauma. Hepworth skillfully navigates themes of identity, resilience, and the search for belonging.

“Darling Girls” is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful fiction. With its compelling storyline, well-developed characters, and atmospheric setting, this novel will keep readers hooked until the very end. It is a haunting tale with an unexpected ending that will linger in readers’ minds long after they turn the final page.

Jessica Clark’s skillful narration adds depth and dimension to Sally Hepworth’s compelling narrative. Through her adept storytelling and nuanced character performances, she brings each character to life, immersing listeners in the emotional complexity of their journeys. Clark’s ability to capture the essence of each character enhances the listener’s experience, drawing them deeper into the gripping tale of suspense and intrigue. I loved it!!