Sally Hepworth has done it again! Its very hard to describe the book without sounding degrading toward foster families/mothers, but I did think the author did a great job telling the story without disgracing all fostering families.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Synopsis in a sentence (or two):
Alicia, Jessica, and Norah bonded as foster care children under Miss Fairchild's care at the Wild Meadows Farm. When a demolition team uncovers bones at Wild Meadows thirty-five years later, the foster sisters must meet with detectives to disclose their past and possibly work to keep some of the deeper secrets buried forever.

Narrator:
I went the immersive reading route with this one, thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio. The narrator excellently executed the emotion and suspense through her narration.


Pacing/Storyline:
Sally Hepworth is my go-to author for family drama mystery novels that keep me reading well into the night. I was thrilled to be able to read her latest, Darling Girls, before release day, and even more excited that it did not disappoint.

Darling Girls is way darker than previous Sally Hepworth novels. Short chapters, various timelines, and multiple perspectives within Darling Girls kept the momentum going at a faster clip. It sounds like a lot is going on; however, Sally Hepworth is a genius for doing a lot of things at one time without making the plot chaotic. I’m afraid to say too much and give away any twists. I guess it’s important to note I wished I had buddy-read this so I could have chatted about the twists along the way. If you’re looking for a book with plenty of conversation angles to discuss during book club, this is the one.

Characters:
What I loved about the characters in this one was how Sally Hepworth revealed the variations in their personalities. All three women depicted in this novel went through foster care, “cared for” by a woman named Miss Fairchild. The story shows the evolution of their history from being foster-care strangers to foster-care sisters. The girls’ histories manifest in their personalities and how they relate. Their backstories are heartbreaking, so it’s worth reviewing the TWs before starting the story. Sally Hepworth doesn’t necessarily paint any of the girls in a positive light, leaving the reader in the dark as to whether the girls had a role in the apparent murder that took place at Wild Meadows Farms.

Read this if you love:
📚Twisted mysteries
📚 Foster family narratives
📚short chapters and multiple POVs

Rating: 5.0

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Digital Review Copy of Darling Girls. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audio review copy of Darling Girls. All opinions are my own.

INCREDIBLE. There were twists I thought I saw coming and then the figure rug was ripped out from under me.

So. Freaking. Good.

It’s been a hot minute since I have read a thriller/mystery and I LOVE LOVE Megan Miranda and her writing so when I saw I had this audio e-arc I squealed with excitement. I loved the book but the audio made this book literally come to life. Jessica Clarke truly did a magnificent job with this! I have a new favorite narrator. This book was full of twists and turns and was very fast paced and the storyline kept moving along and kept your attention from start to finish. In this book particular, we follow Hazel who lives in one of those towns that is so small and tiny that everybody knows everybody and everybody’s business.

Hazel has siblings by marriage and when her father dies and she inherits the house, strange things start to happen and she starts to unravel secrets that have been deeply hidden and maybe the lake has the answers. This is definitely a must listen audio for those who enjoy mystery and thrillers, love feeling like you’re watching a movie play out in your head as you’re listening as well as Megan Mirandas works. A great way to end up year 2023 of reading!

After the remains of a child are found buried under a house, the now adult foster children who had grown up there are forced to revive their disturbing past. Told from alternating points of view and alternating from present and past, secrets are revealed.

I was definitely engrossed in the story wondering what was going to happen next ... but I do wish the ending was more plausible.

3.5 starts rounded up

I am a big fan of Sally Hepworth and was excited to read her newest novel. Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are young women (12-13) when they arrive at an idyllic farming estate in Australia. While the setting seems idyllic, the reality sets in for each of them eventually. Miss Fairchild, the owner of the home, soon shows her unpleasant side and the result is a year of trauma for all three girls. They bond together to survive it. Told in dual timelines, past and present, the story unfolds about how they arrived at a foster home and what they are doing now. Initially, I thought this type of story had been told too many times. However, it was engaging and kept my interest. I was rewarded in the last 25% of the book when everything came together and the plot twists were exposed. In the end, I felt like I knew (and loved) Alicia, Norah, and Jessica and was rooting for them. A very compelling read -- I would highly suggest! Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me access to the audiobook. Another hit from Sally Hepworth!!

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was entertaining but does not hold a candle to The Good Sister (if you haven’t - please read!!). A story of 3 sisters present day who are forced to revisit their foster care days when a body is found buried on the property. I switched back and forth between the ebook and audio version and found the audio more palatable. A solid 4 stars. Pub date 4/23.

Thank you to the author (who I will meet later this month!!!!), St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Very much enjoyed this drama/mystery. Loved the before & after timeline with additional puzzle pieces added along the way. I read the book as well as listened to the audio version. Narrator is fantastic. Highly recommend this cleverly crafted story. Thank to publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

🎧 Thank you @macmillan.audio @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ALC, in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion. 🎧

🍼 🕸️ 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 🕸️ 🍼
𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗽𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵
Narrated by Jessica Clarke
Macmillan Audio
Release date: 23 April 2024

Sally Hepworth’s 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 revolves around three foster “sisters” - Jessica Lovat, Norah Anderson, and Alicia Connelly - who share an unbreakable bond forged during their tumultuous upbringing. Raised by a foster mother on an idyllic-seeming farming estate, the sisters harbor secrets and scars from their past. Decades later, when a body is discovered under the farmhouse, they find themselves thrust into the spotlight as key witnesses or, perhaps, prime suspects.

The plot unfolds through alternating viewpoints and timelines, revealing the girls’ shared history at Wild Meadows and their foster mother’s erratic behaviour. Hepworth balances suspense with emotional depth, as the police seek the truth regarding the buried bones.

Hepworth’s prose is vivid. She employs descriptive language to evoke the haunting atmosphere of the farmhouse and the emotional turmoil of her characters. The use of alternating perspectives allows listeners to experience the world through each sister’s eyes.

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, come alive with distinct personalities and vulnerabilities as 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 explores themes of sisterhood, identity, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Hepworth investigates the power dynamics between foster children and their caregivers, as well as the resilience required to break free from toxic bonds.

Hepworth navigates between the past and the present, gradually revealing layers of the sisters’ shared history. Gripping moments are interspersed with quieter introspection, as listeners are lured into the novel’s web of secrets.

Narrator Jessica Clarke, captures the individuality of each character, while switching seamlessly between them. Her clear and crisp articulation benefit an already engaging audio performance.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth really caught me off guard in the best way possible! It's a fresh twist on domestic suspense that still keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's my first Sally Hepworth book, and I'll definitely be reading more!
Twenty-five years ago, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia end up in the care of Miss Fairchild at Wild Meadows, a farmhouse that looks like a dream but feels like a nightmare. Miss Fairchild, far from being the sweet caretaker she seems, makes life a living hell for these girls.
Now, fast forward to the present. The three women, still super close, return to Port Agatha when human remains are found at Wild Meadows. As they confront their pasts, they rely on each other to get through their present struggles.
I loved how Hepworth weaves the story between past and present, giving us different perspectives that make the characters feel so real. Despite the heavy themes, the characters are strong, relatable, and flawed in all the right ways.
Norah's spunky personality adds some much-needed humor, and while the pace may be slow at times, the twists at the end make it all worth it. Plus, the portrayal of female friendship is just heartwarming. Darling Girls is definitely a book you won't want to put down!
The narrator at first wasn't my favorite, giving some odd dramatic flare to some dialogue, but she grew on me as the book went on!

I requested and listened to Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth. The story is a cautionary tale about orphanages and foster homes. It is narrated from three POVs--three of the children who were fostered by a Miss Fairchild . Each narrator speaks from the present and 25 years early when they were in the dubious care of Miss Fairchild. The novel turns into a mystery when human bones are found in the ground where the home has been levelled. The three women are called to Port Agatha to tell the police about their time at the rural farming estate in an effort to learn the name of the skeletal bones.

When I started the book, I didn't think I would like it but I was quickly captivated by the narration. The girls suffer terribly and form bonds that last a lifetime. Harrowing as the narration is, the story is not far from the truth of how many fosters are treated. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing right up to the end.

This is a quick read/listen. The narrator Jessica Clarke, is excellent. Her Australian accent helped the narration immensely and she was able to act our voices in a way that was not a distraction. So much of the enjoyment of an audiobook is dependent on the skill of the narrator. If you listen to this book, you won't be disappointed.

Alicia, Jessica, and Norah are sisters in every way but biologically. Raised from different points in their childhood by the seemingly perfect foster mother, Miss Fairchild, they learn that she is NOT a mother in any sense of the word. It becomes clear to the reader as it dawns on the girls as well that Miss Fairchild has an insatiable need for some emotional need to be met - perfect devotion? - that no child should be responsible for providing any parent figure.

As they go about their lives as adults, we see flashbacks to their childhood that provide some explanation for some of the current flaws we also see them struggling with as adults: perfectionism, insecurity, addictions, etc. And when they must go back to their former foster home because a child's body is unearthed beneath it, everyone starts to question who is responsible. The women have to rely on each other and learn new skills as they confront the situation - and Miss Fairchild.

I felt that these difficult issues were dealt with sensitively, and the characters flaws were understandable and only helped the reader empathize with them more. The narration was excellent - it never draws away from the storyline, just enhances it.

Thank you very kindly to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! Although it wasn’t the most twisty thriller plot, Sally does a great job of making you think you know what’s happening and then introduces a couple words to the narrative and throws off the visual in your head! I also loved the connection the sisters have, it’s honest and realistic and it made the story flow.

I listened to this in audiobook format, and I absolutely loved the narrator. Her voice was easy to listen to, she made it easy to identify each character and really helped get you invested in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for giving me early access to this book! I definitely would recommend.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6394631893

For years, Sally Hepworth was an author whose name I was familiar with, yet I had never taken the plunge into her works. That changed last year when I picked up The Soulmate—and from that moment on, I was hooked. Hepworth masterfully wove a captivating tale, blending shifting perspectives, well-guarded secrets, and unexpected twists, creating a compelling thriller that engrossed me from start to finish. It was the kind of book that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating each new revelation. So, when Hepworth's publisher generously provided me with the audio version of her latest release, Darling Girls, I was thrilled to dive back into her storytelling. True to form, Hepworth has crafted another enticing premise that promises to captivate readers immediately.

The novel unravels the intertwined lives of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, three young girls who, despite being unrelated by blood, find themselves bound together as sisters due to their shared tragedies. Placed in the care of Miss Fairchild at Wild Meadows, a vast former ranch in Australia, they initially believed they had found a safe haven. Miss Fairchild's nurturing facade soon crumbled, however, revealing a strict and unpredictable disciplinarian. Sensing their guardian's temperamental volatility, the girls quickly learned the consequences of defiance. Their time under Miss Fairchild's care reached a harrowing climax when they managed to escape her clutches, physically liberated but forever scarred by the psychological torment she inflicted.

Fast forward to the present day, and the three girls have become women leading separate lives. Jessica has channeled her experiences into becoming an organizational guru, bringing clarity to her clients' chaotic lives. Norah, on the other hand, has struggled to find her footing, frequently entangled in legal troubles. Meanwhile, Alicia has chosen a path of redemption, dedicating herself to aiding foster children and those in crisis. Their carefully constructed lives are disrupted when a detective approaches them with unsettling news. During the demolition of Wild Meadows, a body has been unearthed. The women must confront long-buried memories and secrets as the past resurfaces. Are they merely witnesses to the grim discovery, or are they concealing dark truths they had hoped never to revisit?

In Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth delivers a gripping thriller that captivates not merely through its rapid twists and turns, of which there are many, but by intricately developing multifaceted characters that evolve and deepen as the narrative progresses. Seamlessly transitioning between past and present and among the three main protagonists, Hepworth enriches each character's story, amplifying the underlying tension and suspense that permeates the entire novel. Right from the outset, a palpable sense of unease grabs hold of the reader, compelling them to uncover the truth behind the events. Jessica Clarke's narration skillfully breathes life into each character, infusing her performance with enough subtlety to effortlessly distinguish between them. The novel builds towards a climactic revelation that is both shocking and satisfying, subverting expectations and prompting readers to reevaluate everything they believed about the story's direction. Darling Girls is yet another riveting read from Hepworth, solidifying her status as a must-read author in the genre.

My first book by Sally Hepworth was The Soulmate, which I loved. I was fortunate enough to receive another book by the author and I could not wait to dive in. I was not disappointed.

Darling Girls has multiple POVs and follows three foster sisters and an unknown POV talking to a psychiatrist. The foster siblings grew up under the care of Miss Fairchild. Her name was something I found interesting because as you go through the book you see she was not fair to any child.

Twenty-five years later cops call each of the siblings to let them know that a body was found under their foster home and it could have been a body from when they were there. This is when we unearth everything from their childhood and the mystery starts to unravel.

I loved that the book had different POVs and it was always easy to follow. I did find that some parts of the book got a little too caught up in smaller details making me lose interest in some areas. It’s a book of highs and lows but the highs outweigh the lows by a big amount.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth was an amazing audiobook narrated by Jessica Clarke. Jessica did a wonderful job keeping the pace and tone interesting and keeping me engaged from the first chapter. I was able to easily follow the lives of the different characters without getting them mixed up or losing track, which can sometimes be difficult in an audiobook with multiple perspectives. I really enjoyed being able to get the different sides of the characters which really made you feel for each of them in turn. They were relatable and

This psychological thriller takes you into the lives of three foster girls who met when they all lived with Miss Fairchild. There, they struggled to escape her grasp and unspeakable terrors which united them with a now unbreakable bond. Jessica wanted nothing more than a mother in Miss Fairchild, and that is what she got until she became old enough to find friendship outside of the home. Then Norah is brought into the house followed by Alicia. All the girls try to be what is expected, but sometimes expectations can be crushing.

Now adults and 25 years later, the women return to the home of their nightmares when the house is torn down and a body discovered buried under the house. The narrative is told from all 3 women's perspectives as both adults and children as you learn what they experienced and what they overcame to become the women they are today. However, as this unfolds, truths about the past are revealed to leave the reader questioning where those bones came from and who put them there.

I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from Sally Hepworth in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.

When I say I GASPED….

Read this book if you like:
👯‍♀️ Found Family
🔍 Mysteries
#️⃣ Multiple POV
⏳ past and present timelines
🤯 Shocking Reveals

This book was soooo incredibly bingeable and was soooo well narrated that it kept me thoroughly entertained!

This felt different, in a good way, from Sally’s prior stories I’ve read and like her others, this was full of mystery, suspense, and questioning everything especially with the bouncing between POVs.

I truly loved the found family aspect between the girls and their fierce devotion to each other which, with a foster parent like they had, no clue why they were so bonded.

I loved reading and wondering what was coming next, because man, did the foster mom serve suspicion and doubt!

I don’t want to say much more, but dang… Buckle up for a bingeable mystery!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for my review!

Listening to the audio version of Darling Girls, I was pulled into the story early on. There are three girls, Jessica , Norah and Alicia who one at a time, come to be foster children at Miss Fairchild’s home, How very lucky for them to have a wonderful home, Wild Meadows! Initially showered with love, the girls are eventually subjected to harsh discipline, stringent rules, and a foster mother whose behavior is so erratic that it’s hard to predict when the next outburst will occur. Luckily, they are able to get out, remain loving sisters to each other, and never ever look back. All true until they are notified that the unidentified bones of a young child have been found beneath the house.

Going back and forth in time, from childhood to adulthood, the story is told in three POVs, and also during an institutional therapy session for an unrevealed character. The reader, Jessica Clarke, does an excellent job with pacing, tone of voice and just enough dramatization. The plot is a bit slow at times yet the storyline held my interest as the possibility of murder looms large and many secrets are revealed. Who could commit such a heinous act? What haven’t the three sisters told each other? How villainous is Miss Fairchild? Is it possible to recover from childhood trauma?

There are many twists and turns right up until the end. Sally Hepworth can be relied upon to keep the suspense going throughout. Four stars for a creative story line well told. Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this audio Advance Reader’s copy in exchange for my review. It will be available on April 23. I highly recommended it for fans of Sally Hepworth, as well as those who enjoy thrillers .
.

I remember seeing this ARC come available months and months ago on NetGalley and squealing! I had so much fun reading The Soulmate last year and really looked forward to Darling Girls. Let’s get into it-

In Darling Girls, we follow three FMCs, former foster sisters who’ve adopted each other into their adult families. They all are having a hard time with their personal lives when they are called back to the small town where they lived in a foster home together when a body is found on the premises. Told partially in the present timeline and partially in flashbacks to their time together in their foster home, the truth behind their childhood home comes to light as everyone works toward solving the mystery- whose body is buried at the home, and who buried them?

Like Hepworth’s previous books, I enjoyed this one! There were a few twists throughout that were entertaining to puzzle out. One part I really liked was the sisters’ support and devotion to each other despite the outside pressure on them to turn on each other! That said, a few of the reveals made the disbelief suspension strain too hard, particularly one right at the 50% mark. It just made a big part of the previous story completely unbelievable! Aside from that plot issue, I did feel fatigued by the lack of character development throughout most of the book. While most of the characters had turned their issues around by the ending, they were all their own worst enemies for the vast majority of the book and it got repetitive along the way. Lastly for criticism, some parts of this book are meant to justify the antagonist’s monstrous behavior. Though this is clarified at the end of the story, it was still hard to stomach.

Overall I liked this book and recommend it to readers who have read and liked Hepworth’s previous books. The audiobook was well produced and enhanced the story and characters! Though this will not be a top-rated mystery for the year for me, I will continue reading more books from Hepworth in the future!

First let me say that I love Sally Hepworth. However, this book didn't do it for me and that has a lot to do with my own personal viewpoints. Was there a lot of "OMG" moments? Yes. Did I enjoy the read? Yes. But I still give it a 3.5 star rating. I might have gone with a 4-star rating had it not been for the ending (don't worry no spoilers).

I really enjoyed getting to know Jessica, Norah and Alicia. I loved their relationship with each other despite their life circumstances and living at Wild Meadows Farm. What I didn't love was how it all played out in the end. I should know better than to read a book involving child abuse as a former case manager in foster care but I did it anyway. And well that's part of the reason I didn't love the book. But ultimately, the end is what did it for me. It could have ended before it did and likely would have ended in more of a 4-star review for me but the ending to me was unnecessary and just felt like there was a requirement for how many times there was a twist.

Should you read it? Sure why not! But if you don't enjoy thrillers where kiddos are involved then skip this one.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this audio ARC! (Side note - great audio!)