Jessica, Norah, and Alicia don’t have much in common as adults, but as children they were all raised by a foster mother, Miss Fairchild, on a family farm. But of course, not all is as it seems from the outside looking in. The girls still keep in touch as adults, but soon find themselves being forced to relive their past when a body is discovered on the farm and an investigation is opened. But are the sisters victims or prime suspects?

This book included a dual timeline that was done well. It was well paced and slowly revealed clues and insights into the characters’ backgrounds while the current timeline moved forward, which kept the intrigue and interest alive. Granted, the past timeline was slower as it mostly served to provide background, but it was still interesting and never felt boring.

What kept this book from being great for me was that the characters just weren’t quite there. They didn’t feel fully developed or fleshed out, but rather like they were each given a few traits that became the entire character. The weak characters negatively impacted the plot and book as a whole. The same thing happened with the antagonist – there were prime opportunities to create a complex and twisted antagonist, but the explanation at the end felt like a bit of a throwaway, and the antagonist never felt compelling.

However, this was still an entertaining and enjoyable weekend read. If you’re looking for a fast-paced family drama that is entertaining, then this is worth checking out. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work, which will be published April 23, 2024. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The mystery and twist kept me entertained until, literally, the very last page! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. The characters were built up fantastically and the plot kept me guessing on what was going on. Definitely a 5 star mystery for me.

***I received an ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for my honest review.***

***Book read via Audiobook***

From Sally Hepworth comes a roller coaster ride through the depths of Miss Fairchild’s, a foster care placement/ provider, heavily seeded mental health issues. Spurred from trauma and ending in a domino effect of traumatic experiences for children in the foster care system that were left in her care.

What I loved about this book:
❤️: Sisterly bonds
❤️: Second chances
❤️: Quick read
❤️: Fluidity between “past” and “present”
❤️: Recovery

I also appreciated the unfortunate reality of the situations in the story including the feelings and trauma that children in foster care feel during and after their experiences.

What I could have gone without:
❌: Loose ends at the end
❌: Dirk’s involvement in the plot

Honestly, not much else could I have gone without. This was such a great quick read/ listen. Highly recommend!

Darling Girls tells the stories of three girls, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who grew up together as foster sisters on Wild Meadows farm with Miss Fairchild as their foster mother. Although it might sound idyllic, Wild Meadows and Miss Fairchild have their own secrets to hide. Now, 25 years later, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are all dealing with their upbringing in various unhealthy ways, when they are called by the police to return to Wild Meadows: human remains have been found buried underneath the house. The story is told in alternating perspectives and in alternate times, so we get the perspectives of the girls when they were growing up at Wild Meadows and as adults as they try to help with the investigation. I found all of the characters to have unique voices and compelling stories. The narrator also did an excellent job of making sure that each character had a distinct sound. This book will certainly appeal to fans of Hepworth, as well as any fans of domestic thrillers.

I want to start off by saying that I haven’t read or listened to anything from this author before. After listening to this audiobook. I will be adding more books from this author. The narrator does amazing keeping me not wanting to stop listening. This book is very unpredictable. I can’t believe that I haven’t read any of this authors books sooner. The world and these characters amazing /tragic that these happened to these young girls.
These three women went through a lot living with Miss Fairchild as young children. I really enjoyed the back story to each young girl. Before they ended up in the house of horrors with Miss Fairchild.
There is so many twists and turns in this audiobook. I really didn’t see that ending coming.
This audiobook is set to be released April 23, 2024. I highly recommend this audiobook. Thank you to netgalley and the author for the opportunity to allow me to listen to amazing/tragic audiobook.
All my thoughts and review are my own. My review will be up anywhere I can leave a review.

Thank you NetGalley and Sally Hepworth for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sally Hepworth could write about a tumbleweed making its way across the Australia, and she'd still find a way to flip it into an engaging domestic thriller that I wouldn't be able to put down.

Needless to say, Darling Girls is a wonderfully written domestic thriller that I couldn't put down. It delves into the intricate dynamics of growing up in foster care, the effects of that in adulthood, unraveling secrets, and the enduring bond of sisterhood.

This is my fifth novel by this author, and like the others, I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend and look forward to her next novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Sally Hepworth, so I went into this with very high expectations. Darling Girls is about foster children who were raised together in the same foster home and are now returning to the area due to human remains being found on the premises. The story goes back and forth between past and present and various POVs - which really adds to the story! The main three foster girls share details about their past and in present time we are able to see how their upbringing moulded them into the women they are now.

The story is very suspenseful and has a lot of twists and turns. Some characters are definitely more likable than others, but almost all of them really do "add" something to the overall plot. The story does get repetitive and predictable at times, but most of the twists and turns are unexpected! When everything comes together, you'll be blown away.

The narrator does an excellent job, but I think that this is one of those books that would have really benefited if they would have had a different narrator voice each POV since there were so many POVs.

It is worth mentioning that this book has events that may upset some readers. It can be dark at times and I suggest treading lightly if you are sensitive to abuse, foster care upbringings, and sexual abuse (child).

While this isn't my favorite book by this author, it is still a great read!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth is a masterfully crafted slow burn psychological thriller that keeps you hooked till the end. Set in Australia, the story is told in multiple POVs focusing on three women—Jessica, Norah, and Alicia—who met as children in their foster home, Wild Meadows. They form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood borne out of necessity and the urge to protect each other from their maniacal foster mother, Holly Fairchild. Miss Fairchild runs a tight ship often employing cunning manipulations and psychological games to control the girls, leaving them with lifelong scars. Twenty five years after leaving their foster home, the women continue to stay close and keep each other protected as sisters. A haunting phone call from law enforcement forces them to return to Wild Meadows. A set of bones unearthed from under their old foster home now threatens to dig into their past and shared ordeals that they each have been trying to forget.

The best aspect of this book are its unique and complex characters. Jessica, the oldest of the three women and Miss Fairchild’s first foster child is the most complex of them, battling her internal struggles and a drug addiction. Norah is the strong one with an affinity to violence. She joined the foster home at the age of ten after being in a series of foster homes and enduring trauma in every way a young girl can. Her violent behavior controls her adult life as she often gets in trouble with law enforcement and relies on her sisters to bail her out. Alicia was a soft gentle twelve-year-old who was forced to join the foster home when her grandmother and primary caretaker passed away. Her traumatic experience led her to become a social worker, helping young children, often getting emotionally attached to her cases. I love how Sally Hepworth managed to keep each character’s voice and personality unique. It is hard to select a favorite because I loved all three characters, be it Norah’s blend of sarcasm and vulnerability, Alicia’s sweet and caring nature, or Jessica’s complex layers that is unraveled slowly throughout the book.

Despite being a slow burn, the pacing of the book is just right, managing to hit all key notes at the exact intervals. The story unfolds in dual timelines as each woman narrates their past and present. There is one additional POV between an unidentified woman and her therapist that is sprinkled in between chapters. The story, as it unraveled, kept me on my toes and the twists were all added in the right moments. The climax was one I thought I had seen it coming but the ending proved me wrong. I have never been happier to be wrong about something!

I listened to the audiobook version of the book. The narration by Jessica Clarke was good. Because this was a multi-POV novel, I would’ve preferred a cast of narrators for the three women instead of a single narrator. That is not to say that Jessica Clarke wasn’t enough. She was great and brought the needed depth and personality to the characters in each chapter.

Overall, I give this a 4.75 stars rounded up to 5.

Thanks to @Netgalley and @MacMillanAudio for the audiobook arc of the book. All opinions stated above are my own.

I loved the narration of this book. The story line was great and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. This was my first read by this author and definitely will not be my last. Thanks Netgalley for the audiobook

"Sally Hepworth's 'Darling Girls' offers a glimpse into the complexities of sisterhood and secrets, blending mystery with family drama. While it was an enjoyable read, especially for fans of Hepworth's previous works, I found it to be slightly less engaging compared to her other novels. The narrative delves into the lives of sisters, unraveling hidden truths and confronting past demons. Hepworth's signature storytelling style shines through, but the pacing felt a bit slower, and the characters didn't grip me as intensely as in her other books. Nonetheless, 'Darling Girls' still delivers a satisfying tale of family bonds and the enduring power of sisterhood."

Wow!! Where do I even begin!!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jessica Clarke. The narrator brings depth to the characters as she unravels the secrets and complexities of their lives. The idyllic façade of their childhood home is shattered as the sisters confront the truth about their past.

As the story continues it unravels the complex lives of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who were raised by their foster mother, Miss Fairchild. The story takes a surprising turn when bones are discovered in their former home, leading to revelations about their upbringing.

The unexpected twists and turns that end in a shocking reveal. Through Jessica Clarke's voice, the emotional depth of the characters and the suspense of the plot are vividly portrayed.

If you're looking for a captivating audiobook that explores the bonds of sisterhood, the weight of secrets, and the consequences of love and murder. This is a must-listen for fans of suspenseful family dramas.

Another absolute banger from Sally Hepworth! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of this book because it was an absolutely wild ride.

From the jump, I wasn’t really sure where the plot was going to go in either timeline (we had a past and present timeline in this story with POVs from all the core characters) which made this very fun; I was hooked and stressed and anxious as the story unfolded because I NEEDED to know what was going to happen with Jessica, Norah and Alicia. I’ve gone back and forth on who my favorite character was and I think it’s Alicia - she felt the most relatable to me.

I will say that the ending was kind of meh but that’s my only complaint (and trust me - it’s a minor whine because this book was solid otherwise) so all in all this is a definite recommend!

Three women were raised by the same foster mother as young girls, and the terrible experiences they went through in their childhood have bonded them for life. In the present day, a body is found under the home they grew up in, and the girls and their former foster mother come face to face for the first time in years.

This psychological thriller is a slow burn told in dual timelines. The past timelines show some of the abuse the girls endured as kids, which was heartbreaking to read. Their past clearly formed their current personalities, with the women forming a clear bond that seems unshakeable. I thought the characters were each well written and fully formed, with distinct characteristics and personalities.

Narrator Jessica Clarke takes on a doozy of a story for a single narrator. The multiple timelines and multiple POVs didn't work for me with a single narrator; I would have preferred a larger cast to be able to keep the storyline straight. I struggled with the audio format here and ended up switching to an ebook form instead.

The storyline itself seemed to drag on for me, leading to my rating of 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth! The story was a wild ride from beginning to end. The chapters alternate between past and present, sharing the stories of three different girls living in foster care with Miss Fairchild. I adored each of the girls (so close they call themselves sisters) and the women they came to be, despite their hardships and flaws. The undying love the sisters have for one another is remarkable, especially considering their upbringing. That being said, their upbringing was rough and have a ripple effect into their adult lives. This book deals with a lot of hard topics including child abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment, harsh punishments, violence, etc. Reader (listener) be aware.

When a body is found underneath the house where they grew up, the sisters return "home" to try to figure out what happened and pursue healing for themselves. The story did not progress as I was expecting - there were crazy twists and turns that were highly entertaining and captivating. I especially liked how more of the story was revealed through the inclusion of snapshots from therapy sessions for... someone. (That someone is revealed later in the book, of course!) Though I was a bit disappointed with the last twist at the end, I enjoyed the book overall. I just kept wanting to listen to it! The narrator was great too, kudos to Jessica Clarke.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advanced audiobook. All opinions are my own.

This was another fantastic thriller by Sally Hepworth. I had a hard time putting this down and felt like the pacing was perfect. At a point I thought I had this story figured out but I didn’t! Which was a fun surprise at the last second. Highly recommend to any fan who loves thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this audio arc!

WOW! What a great book! This is my first by this author and will not be my last! I enjoyed the dual pov and dual timeline. Loved the twist.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copies of Darling Girls!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐩𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

This book has it all! Sally Hepworth has done it again and if you are a fan of domestic thrillers, you need to pick this one up ASAP!

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia were all rescued and raised by Miss Fairchild at Wild Meadows Farm. Miss Fairchild was anything but loving, and was very unpredictable. Now, as adults, the three women are called back to the house because it’s in the process of being demolished and human bones have been found. Who do the bones belong to? And what secrets still remain?

This book is like a rollercoaster, alternating between the past and the present, and told between POVs of Jessica, Norah, Alicia, and an unknown patient meeting with Dr. Warren during a psychiatric session. I could not get enough. To note, there were themes of abuse in this book, but it never felt too heavy. There were also some funny moments throughout, including moments with a lovable dog. Hepworth kept my attention the entire time and I loved the ending!

🎧I started with the physical book, but switched to the audiobook, narrated by Jessica Clarke. I loved my time listening to the audiobook, and felt like Clarke did such an amazing job bringing this story to life. I will definitely be looking for more audiobooks by Clarke to listen to in the future. I felt like she nailed this performance and I highly recommend the audio format of Darling Girls!

Posted on Goodreads on April 9, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around April 23, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on April 23, 2024
**-will post on designated date

This is hands down my favorite book by Megan Miranda. It was easy to get consumed by the creepy and dark atmosphere setting with a gripping, twisty tale about a terrifying childhood and a town filled with secrets. Hazel inherited her father’s house after his passing, but her two brothers, Caleb and Gage, are upset that she is now the sole owner of their father’s house. While Hazel is in town, two cars submerged from Mirror Lake, and Hazel is now determined to discover what happened to her mother.

The writing of this book was incredible and well-constructed. It took me only the first few pages to get hooked, and I was compelled by the story the entire time. Miranda’s atmospheric description of Mirror Lake, combined with unraveling dark family secrets and shocking twists, made for a book that is hard to put down. Jessica Clarke was fantastic narrating the story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for giving me a copy

The story begins in a Psychiatrist’s office and at first it is hard to tell which woman is the one seeing the psychiatrist.

Then the story moves between past and present, centering around three foster girls; Jessica, Norah and Alicia. They immediately form a sisterly bond that gets carried on into their adult years. As the book moves between the “now” and the “then”, we get a look into each girl’s life and their own personal experiences of living in the foster home under the care of their evil foster mother, Miss. Fairchild.

Years later some bones were discovered under the foster home. Who’s are they? This brings Jessica, Norah and Alicia back to where it all started, with so many questions.

The book is a bit suspenseful. It can be triggering in regards to child abuse. It was a good read… although I do feel that the last twist was not really needed. The book would have been just fine without it.

I would like to thank MacMillan Audio and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Darling Girls
Sally Hepworth
4⭐️

If you’re in the mood for a dark & twisty character driven thriller, Darling Girls will hit the spot! Hepworth did not disappoint with this page turner! It was unique, quick, engaging, and full of twists and an ending I did not see coming. I really enjoyed the flashbacks/dual timeline and getting each sister’s POV. It added so much to the story.

What I Enjoyed:
✨ Slow Burn Suspense
✨ Dark & Twisty Stories
✨ Domestic Thriller
✨ Flawed Characters

If you're an audiobook fan, give this one a listen! Jessica Clarke’s voice and narration was so perfectly matched with Hepworth’s twisty tale.

Pub Date 4/23/24. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.